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Have any of you noticed how your taste in certain foods and drinks have changed throughout your life? Things that you found delicious, no longer are. And then there are other things you never found delicious, but suddenly do.

And that goes for certain aromas as well.

I looked it up online and discovered that our taste buds age as we do. It can also be due to certain illnesses we've had that caused our tastes to change, as well as a change in our sense of smell. In some cases though, studies have revealed that the olfactory parts of our brains become more developed and refined as we get older and that's why they change. 

Listed below are four things I used to eat and drink all the time but no longer find them appealing.. 


Sweets-

I used to be obsessed with sweets. In fact I would tell people that if I could live by eating nothing but sugar, I would. I even remember a time when I needed something sweet to eat after every meal or I didn't feel complete. Now, however, I could care less about sweets. I no longer desire them. And if by chance I do, it's limited to a sold piece of dark chocolate and that's it. Oh, or a piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. 


Meat-

I lost my desire for meat eons ago. In fact, one day it dawned on me that I hadn't eaten meat in over 10 years. And when I did eat meat, the only thing I craved was a nice, thick, well-made hamburger with ketchup, tomato and lettuce, coupled with a side of steak fries. Meat was one of those things I never consciously made a choice to stop eating, I just gradually lost interest. I came from a family who had meat with every meal - beef, ham, pork, chicken. My father worshiped meat as if it were a God. Every night for dinner we had a meat and two vegetables with a side salad. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. Even when we had pasta, we had meat with it. Back then people believed it was extremely important to eat meat to get your protein, not realizing there were so many other ways to ingest it. 


Cucumbers-

This is something that changed for me last summer. I suddenly found the taste and smell of cucumbers repulsive. Isn't that strange? And you're talking to someone who loved cucumbers; particularly English cucumbers. I use to enjoy slicing a cucumber with a some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, drizzled with olive oil. Like I said, last summer whenever I would start to slice one, I found the smell so unappealing. I also no longer liked the taste and texture in my mouth. I kept trying to go back to them because I though it might be a temporary thing, but it wasn't. Maybe one day I'll like them again, but for right now, no cucumbers for me. 


Coffee-

Now, I still drink coffee, however, it's beginning to lose its appeal for me. The other day I ordered a cup of coffee from my favorite coffee shop in Old City and suddenly noticed how bitter it tasted. I knew it wasn't the coffee itself because the coffee they serve in this shop is consistently fresh. It was as if I could feel a shift in the way my taste buds were processing the taste of coffee. I can't say that I'm surprised though because over the years, I've cut back on the amount of coffee I drink. I pretty much have one cup in the morning and that's it. Sometimes, very rarely though, I'll have another cup in the afternoon. But most days I'll have an iced green tea flavored with Moroccan mint, for a little pick-me-up in the afternoon.

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Not only has my taste for certain foods and drinks changed in the way I no longer desire them, but I've also acquired a taste for things I didn't used to like at all.

Listed below are four things I never liked, but now do.


Beets-

When I was a kid, I HATED beets. I thought they were the most repulsive things on the planet. Their color alone freaked me out. But over the past two years, I've learned to adore them. And when I taste them now, I think, "I can't believe what I've been missing all these years - BEETS!"

 Red Wine-

I was never a big drinker. And when I did drink, it would be something like a Pina colada, which I drank in high school. But other than that, alcohol never appealed to me. However, when I got into my mid-20's, I tried white wine. For some reason though, white wine (maybe because of the high sugar content) made me VERY drunk after only half a glass. I started to think that maybe I had an allergy to alcohol. That is until I discovered red wine when I was in my mid-40's. OMG...I suddenly fell head over heels in love with red wine. But when I drink it, it has to be dark, very dry, and full-bodied. I especially love red wines that have been aged in bourbon barrels because you can taste the oak. So yes, I now have one glass of red wine every night while watching a movie. That's my big indulgence!


Brussels Sprouts-

When I was a kid, whenever my mother served Brussels sprouts with dinner, it grossed me out so much that I would stuff each Brussels sprout on my plate into my pockets when no one was looking at me. And then after dinner, I would go to the bathroom and flush them down the toilet. Yes! That's how much I detested Brussels sprouts. To me, Brussels sprouts were something they fed to criminals who were serving a life sentence in prison to torture them, rather than execute them. But oddly enough, last year, I decided to try them again because I had seen a recipe that sautéed them with garlic, salt and pepper, and olive oil. And that's when my love affair began. 


Asparagus Tips-

This was another vegetable I didn't like as a kid. And I think it's because my mother served them from a can (Del Monte) and they were too mushy. Yet, I tried them again many years ago and fell in lust with them. But only the TIPS. I don't care for the stems, they are too thick and I don't like the texture. The stems feel as though I'm chewing on pieces of rope. I now eat asparagus tips quite frequently, and prepare them much like in the photo above. I also add them to pasta dishes, salads, and soups. 

So there you have it folks, things I used to love, but now don't. And things that I use to dislike, but now love.

Have a delicious rest of your week, everyone! 
💗


P.S. If you wish, please feel free to share any foods, drinks or aromas in which your taste has changed. 

24 comments:

  1. I too love fresh asparagus & fresh brussel sprouts. (Instead of olive oil, butter for me). Pickled beets, yum. I love the smell of coffee brewing, but can't stomach the taste. I could never understand why people added sour cream & guacamole to Mexican food until I tried it. Now, always!! So many foods I like now. Gimme a cheeseburger!
    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com

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  2. Ron, it's funny you posted about this today because over the past 6-8 months, I've noticed myself losing interest in certain foods that I used to love and thought there might be something wrong with me. I loved mushrooms, but now find their taste and texture disgusting. Eggs too, but over time I can't stand the smell of them cooking. And like you, I don't drink as much coffee as I used to. I hated Brussels sprouts as a kid as well, but love them now. "To me, Brussels sprouts were something they fed to criminals who were serving a life sentence in prison to torture them, rather than execute them." LOL! Hilarious!

    Very interesting post, Ron.

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  3. Morning, Anni!

    It's incredible to me how my taste has changed over the years from things I used to find so unappealing, but now find them so delicious, like, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and beets I LOVE them!!!

    "I love the smell of coffee brewing, but can't stomach the taste."

    Yes, I know many people who have said the same. They love the smell of coffee brewing, but not the taste. It's kind of like how I feel about beer. I absolutely love the smell of beer, but can't stand the taste.

    Ooooo, yes.....sour cream and guacamole to Mexican food. The BEST!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!

    X

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  4. Hey there, Candice!

    Isn't it funny how our taste for things change over time? I never in a million years would ever think I'd be eating (and savoring) the taste of Brussels sprouts. But again, I think back when I was a kid, they weren't prepared as they are today. I'm pretty sure my mother purchased Brussels sprouts frozen and would cook them in a pot. She never sauteed or baked them.

    And speaking of eggs, that's another thing I have eating in years. And when I did eat them, I had to have them scrambled or made into a Greek omelette.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Candice! Have a great weekend!

    X

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  5. Okay Ron, here is my list of don't and do

    Things I used to love, but now don't
    -Vinegar
    -Chicken (just the sight of it raw makes me sick to my stomach)
    -Coke or Pepsi
    -BBQ

    Things I didn't love, but now do
    -Broccoli
    -Cabbage
    -Curry
    -Chinese food

    I love red wine too. Dark, dry (hate anything sweet) and full bodied. I especially love red wine with Italian food. Thanks for sharing the link, I will be trying that wine soon. I can't believe how inexpensive it is!

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  6. Hi Daniel!

    Thanks so much for sharing your list of don't and do. I enjoyed reading it! Two things you mentioned on your first list (vinegar and chicken) I feel the same way. Hate the smell of vinegar and I can't even look at a raw chicken. Ewwwwww!

    I eat broccoli a lot. And cabbage too. I eat them steamed or cooked. I made a cabbage soup last month that was soooooooooo delicous.

    Yes! There is nothing quite like Italian food paired with red wine. Bellissima! And you will LOVE that wine. I discovered it completely by accident when I was in the wine store several months ago. The price is amazing, isn't it?

    Have an awesome weekend, my friend. Always great seeing your comments!

    X

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  7. So interesting, Ron! YES, my tastes have changed as well, but for me, it’s often because I now realize how unhealthy some foods are. When I began my slow journey of eating better, my taste buds grew accustomed to the better choices and now I can’t imagine how I ever liked things like white bread, boxed cookies, and other packaged foods.

    Like you, I’ve cut back on the sweets and meat. I do still think a creamstick is delicious, but I have maybe two per year. I think when you stop eating certain foods like sugar, you no longer crave them. I agree that as a kid, I also hated brussel sprouts and beets, but now enjoy them. That’s funny about cucumbers because my oldest daughter hates their taste and smell, too!

    As far as scents, I haven’t found any changes as far as foods, but I cannot tolerate perfumes I used to love in the 80-90’s, like Beautiful. OMG, they smell so freaking strong and remind me of old ladies now!!!

    Enjoyable post, Ron! Have a super weekend! XO

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  8. Unlike yourself, Ron, I have always enjoyed Brussels sprouts and asparagus, although admittedly only in my adult years. These veggies were never on my childhood menu, but we did have lots of other veggies which my parents grew in a home garden: tomatoes, beans, greens. I am with you on red wine, and prefer a Merlot or Pinot Noir.

    I've never been a huge fan of cucumbers or even salads, but do tolerate them. Fish and chicken are favorites vs. red meats. Growing up we hardly ever had steak, except on a Sat night. Pasta, greens, beans were more staples

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  9. Ron, I had to laugh at your description of the meat-based meals your family had. That must be an Italian thing, for my mom is exactly the same way! Fridays during Lent were a special challenge because she couldn't serve meat, ha! If it were up to me, I'd have way more meatless meals. I just find chicken rubbery and tasteless, and meat too heavy.


    I'm still a BIG sweet-lover, though, and I find I crave something sweet after most meals (except breakfast!). No beets or Brussels sprouts for me; no Lima beans either. And I never developed a taste for oatmeal, sweet potatoes, broccoli, or cauliflower!



    Some things I never before liked that I do now include Chinese and Mexican foods. You know, I think our taste buds might be influenced by our experiences, whether good or bad. I mean, most of my experiences eating Chinese food, for example, have been very pleasant, leading me to appreciate that, whereas my experiences with artichoke (my mom used to make me sit at the table until I'd at least tried it!) were wretched!


    Interesting post, my friend. Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  10. " When I began my slow journey of eating better, my taste buds grew accustomed to the better choices and now I can’t imagine how I ever liked things like white bread, boxed cookies, and other packaged foods."

    Excellent point! And I think you may have something there because I too have noticed that. You and I have similar eating styles. Over the years I've discovered that we both migrate to the same foods. I too can't imagine eating white bread, boxed cookies and other packaged foods. In fact, I have had those in my kitchen for YEARS.

    Isn't it funny about Brussels sprouts and beets? I NEVER in a million years thought that I would enjoy them as much as I do now.

    "That’s funny about cucumbers because my oldest daughter hates their taste and smell, too!"


    Really? Glad to hear I'm not the only one. And to think that I used to love them so much confuses me because I feel the complete opposite now.

    "but I cannot tolerate perfumes I used to love in the 80-90’s, like Beautiful. OMG, they smell so freaking strong and remind me of old ladies now!!!"

    Bwhahahahahaha! OMG, that cracked me the hell up because I feel the same way about certain colognes I used to wear back then, I smell them now and think, "How could I have loved this scent?!?!" And speaking of Beautiful, I used to work for Estee Lauder and recall that scent very clearly. I can't believe how popular it was when it first came out. We would sell out so fast at the counter.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend as well!

    X

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  11. Hey there D!

    Me too, it was only in my adult years that I develop a taste for them, and learned to love them.

    Aren't home grown garden tomatoes the BEST? My father used to grow them when I was a kid. They were so deliciously sweet. However, when we moved to Florida and he tried growing them in our backyard, they tasted nothing like the ones from the Northeast. And that's because of the soil. South Florida soil is primarily sand, so things don't grow like they do in the Northeast soil. The grass in Florida is not the same either. It's more like crabgrass.

    " I am with you on red wine, and prefer a Merlot or Pinot Noir."

    Yes! Yes! Yes! Love me a Merlot AND a Pinot Noir. In fact, I drink mainly Pinot Noir during the summer months because it's lighter than a Cab or Merlot.

    Thanks so much for stopping by sharing, D! Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend! And enjoy several glasses of red wine!

    X

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  12. Hellooooooooooo there, Debbie!

    HA! Yes! It must be an Italian thing because my entire family was like that, they HAD TO HAVE meat with every meal. And even as a kid, I knew that eventually I would not be eating meat. I especially didn't like ham, and that was a meat my father would eat on a regular basis. I can't stand how salty ham is...YUCK!

    "Fridays during Lent were a special challenge because she couldn't serve meat, ha! If it were up to me, I'd have way more meatless meals. "


    OMG, it's so funny that you mentioned Fridays during lent because that's when my mother would serve fish (such as crab cakes), which was another thing I couldn't stand the taste of. And I still don't. I'm not a fan of meat or any kind of fish/seafood. And I agree, chicken does have a rubbery texture.

    I feel the same about Mexican food. Over the years, I have developed a big crush on Mexican food. And it's actually very healthy. Chinese I like too, but haven't had it for a while.

    "whereas my experiences with artichoke (my mom used to make me sit at the table until I'd at least tried it!) were wretched!"

    Isn't it something how much we are influenced by our childhood food experiences? That's how I was when it came to Brussells sprouts, yet for some reason I ended up loving them. Who knew?!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your tastes, my friend. Enjoyed your comment! Have a terrific weekend!

    X

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  13. Hey, Ron!

    I lost my taste for sweets along time ago. The same thing for fried foods and any melted cheese dishes.

    I used to love lasagna and veal cutlet parmigiana but now I find them much too heavy.

    I even ate egg foo young one time--yukkk!! The stuff is solid cholesterol!

    Most of my choices were conscious ones. I stopped eating a lot of foods because I decided I wanted to eat healthier and keep my weight down.

    And I began eating vegetables after avoiding them for my entire childhood.

    Brussel sprouts and beets are two of my least favorite foods, but I'll eat anything if I have enough red wine.

    Bon appetite, buddy!

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  14. Ron, you and I being the same age and growing up in the 50's, I could totally relate to your family "having meat with every meal" because that was the thing back then. A meat a two veggies with every meal. My family served the same thing. My family also served bread with pasta which I could never understand. As an adult, I never eat bread with pasta. Way too many carbs! LOL

    Two things I used to really enjoy but now don't are hot dogs and sauerkraut. The comb was such a big thing in New York. The though of them now makes me sick to my stomach. I feel the same about sweets, I hardly ever crave them. Oh, and do you remember eating Jello as a kid? I think of it now and wonder how the hell I ate that weird stuff.

    I definitely have noticed a change in my tastes as I've aged. My husband has too. I used to wear the perfume Shalimar, remember that one? It was so popular when I was a young girl. I smelled it again many years ago in a department store and wonderful how I ever wore it. Too sweet!

    Very enjoyable post, Ron! You gave me lots to think about. Have a great weekend, we're getting snow and cold. And I know you're going to love it! xo

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  15. Ron, forgot to say in my first comment that I to love RED WINE - Cabs and blends. I don't like anything sweet.

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  16. Hey there, Rob!

    "The same thing for fried foods and any melted cheese dishes.

    I used to love lasagna and veal cutlet parmigiana but now I find them much too heavy."


    YES to each of those things. I have never been one attracted to any food with creamy sauces, such as fettuccine alfredo or any kind of French food. It's all too heavy for me. I like my food clean and not landened down with to much extra stuff. I don't even like my food overly seasoned.

    I've always been a picky eater, even as a kid.

    "And I began eating vegetables after avoiding them for my entire childhood."

    Isn't it funny how many of us has such an aversion to vegetables as a kid? I honestly think it's because of the way they were served. Everything in the 50's and 60's were either canned or frozen.

    Isn't red wine the best?

    Always great to read your comments, buddy. Bon appetite and have a faaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  17. Hello there, Elaine!

    Yes, you're right, that was a very 50's thing!!!!

    "My family also served bread with pasta which I could never understand. As an adult, I never eat bread with pasta. Way too many carbs! LOL"


    OMG...I cannot believe you said that because I swear to God, I think the same thing. When I see people eating a big dish of pasta with chunks of bread, I'm like, "WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHY?!?!" When I have pasta, it's usually with a salad with some kind of lettuce, or I'll have it with some cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and basil.

    Also, YES to hot dogs and sauerkraut. Those are two other things my father loved to have for dinner when I was a kid. But I have to say that I never liked them. So as an adult, I've never eaten them. Hot dogs are like the worst things to eat too. YUCK! And I love that you mentioned JELLO because I agree....that was such a big thing back then. My mother used to put fruit cocktail in the Jello so that it had all this overly sweet fruit.

    " I used to wear the perfume Shalimar, remember that one? It was so popular when I was a young girl. I smelled it again many years ago in a department store and wonderful how I ever wore it. Too sweet!"


    That cracked me up because being from the cosmetic/fragrance industry, I know that fragrance very well. And you're right, too sweet! Smells like a grandmother perfume HA!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your do's and don'ts, my friend. LOVED reading about them. And yes, I saw that the Northeast is getting some freezing temps and snow this weekend. I think it said on Sunday. Can't wait.

    X

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  18. LOVE Cabs too. And I'm drinking a red blend right now from Dark Horse that it soooooooo good! Nothing sweet for me, either.

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  19. Ron, I'm the same with two things that you mentioned. I no longer eat sweets or desire them. And that's incredible to me because I was a sweetaholic. I loved cupcakes, chocolate, candy, pie, etc. And meat, I no longer eat it or want it. I do enjoy certain fish, but only things like crab and lobster, shellfish. Which is odd because as a kid I couldn't stand any fish whatsoever. It all grossed me out.

    I noticed my tastes changing as well. Rather than anything sweet, I now prefer savory. I don't drink anything except a glass of wine (or 2 or 3) LOL! I like both red an white. I drink white in the summer, red in the fall and winter. Isn't wine incredible? I drink coffee once in a while, but I've never been addicted to it like so many people I know. I have one friend who makes a pot in the morning and drinks practically the whole thing BY HERSELF before coming to work. And then she drinks it at work too!

    I chuckled at your description of Brussells sprouts being fed to prisoners serving a life sentence. That was so funny! I never liked them as a kid and still don't. However, that photo you shared makes them look very appetizing.

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  20. Hello there, Clair!

    You sounded like me, I too was a sweetaholic. BIG time! I eat candy corn, do you believe that? And I could eat a whole bag in two days by myself. I also loved jelly beans.

    "I do enjoy certain fish, but only things like crab and lobster, shellfish. Which is odd because as a kid I couldn't stand any fish whatsoever. It all grossed me out."

    I never liked fish of any kind. And that's another thing my father and mother love - SEAFOOD. And when we moved to Florida and my father would go fishing and bring back his catch, he'd make it for dinner that night and I was like, "Sorry....but I think I'll pass, Daddy-O." LOL!

    Yes, wine is FABULOUS! And I love to paired with food because it makes eating so much for delicious.

    "I have one friend who makes a pot in the morning and drinks practically the whole thing BY HERSELF before coming to work. And then she drinks it at work too!"

    OMG....I worked with a woman in a hair salon in Florida who would do the same thing. And not only drink coffee all day, but also smoke one cigarette after another.

    Thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing your tastes, Clair. Enjoyed reading your comment. Have grrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  21. Ron, I think it's funny how there are things that I when I was a kid, I couldn't stand like broccoli and cauliflower. But now that I'm older, I've grow to really like them. Yet there are other things like ice cream, candy and cookies, that I no longer crave. I've never been heavily into sweets. Now, I do enjoy a steak now and then, and certain seafood items.

    So interesting to read how you discovered that as we age, our olfactory parts of the brain become more developed and refined. But that make sense because as I've gotten old, I feel as though my sense of smell as gotten much more sensitive to things.

    I used to wear the perfume Light Blue all the time. Now when I smell it, I find it so unappealing. I used like fragrances that were more clean and fresh, but now lean more toward warm and spicy fragrances. I hate anything floral.

    And I'm with you when it comes to wine, I drink only red. I LOVE red wine. In fact, I'm sipping a glass right now as I type this comment. LOL!

    Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Ron. I saw on the news that you got snow this weekend. xo

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  22. Hola Denise!

    OMG, me too with the broccoli and cauliflower! I despised them as a kid, and I think because my parents always got frozen/bagged veggies and they seemed tasteless. Now I eat them all the time. I steam them, sautee them, and sometimes just cut them up raw and served them in a salad.

    I think that makes sense too because my sense of smell (and taste) have gotten much more sensitive as I've aged.

    YES!!!!! God, I remember Light Blue! Back when it first came out, everyone wore it. The men's version was not to my liking, so I never worn it. But I know of TON of people who did. I like spicy, warm, earthy scents as well.

    Isn't red wine the BEST? In fact, I'm going to pour myself a glass in about an hour!!!! And yes, we got snow today. Actually we didn't get it until later in the day, but it's still coming down. The streets are covered in it. Yahoooooooooooo!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a great week!

    X

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  23. LOL! I never knew taste buds change as we age. I've also always loved the smell of coffee, but really don't like the taste. Still don't. I've never liked mushrooms and still don't. It's a texture thing. I wonder if you'd like pickled beets. I make them for Entrepreneur every summer and he eats them by the jarful. About the only thing I really don't like much anymore is food that is processed. And I've never been able to do spicy hot foods. But wine.......I'll forgo sweets just so I can have a second glass of wine in the evening! X

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  24. Hey there Lisa, apparently they do. I research many different articles that explained how it's only natural that our tastes change. Mine certainly has.

    " I've never liked mushrooms and still don't. It's a texture thing."


    OMG.....MEEEEEEEEE TOO!. It is a texture thing because to me they taste as if you chewing on a wet suit! LOL!

    LOVE beets. I'm never without them because I put them in my salads.

    Yeah, me neither. I don't do spicy food at all. My father was the same way. When something is too spicy, you can't taste the food.

    Isn't wine the BEST? It's like a gift from the Gods.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a fab week. It's been VERY cold here, but hardly any snow.

    X

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