As a teen I was the world’s pickiest eater.
I lived off of “safe foods” like spaghetti and meatballs, grilled chicken and French fries. Fruits and vegetables were a part of my life but anything that looked weird was deemed gross pre-taste test. If you wanted me to try something a little unique like swordfish or a buffalo burger you were out of your mind. I basically went through a rotation of the same foods over and over again while throwing a fit when I was served something that was unfamiliar. Super mature, I know.
But since my days of discovering spices, other food genres and what my KitchenAid can do I have definitely grown leaps and bounds as a diner and a cook. I can say that mushrooms aren’t disgusting after all (obsessed) and I regret missing out on probably the only opportunity I will ever have to try shark. My mom has to be proud that I have branched out from my days of bland and boring eats. So I will say it: you were right Mom…I was missing out.
My new food mantra: Try anything once. Napkin spitting is allowed.
Hence, the Weekly Bite was born.
The Weekly Bite is a series on Bite Size Wellness that introduces some unique, obscure and new seasonal eats to add to your plate. We aren’t talking apples and carrots here. Living in New York City I am constantly reminded that there is unique food all around us that is begging to be tasted and recipe-ized…something a healthy lifestyle blogger does best! Every location in the world has a new food to be discovered, noshed on and talked about. The Weekly Bite is a base to grow your food knowledge, get inspired to try new things and become a more well-rounded foodie. I believe that trying new things throughout your life whether it is in the gym, the kitchen or beyond is good for your overall health. It almost always brings something good. It may start with a new meal on the table, but that can bring a new perspective, a new idea, a new challenge to attain.
So instead of reaching for the raspberries, how about you give tayberries a try? If you are a garlic fan, garlic scapes may change your life. Be daring and try a fruit that looks like it is not supposed to be eaten…looking at you dragon fruit.
Please, for the love of food, give some new flavors and eats a chance!
Join in on a chance to create new taste sensations and get inspired by the pairings of other foodie enthusiasts with the #PairYourEats challenge. It is simple: Incorporate your everyday ingredients with more adventurous eats like the seasonal fare that is highlighted each week on the Weekly Bite. Or simply challenge yourself to combine new flavors together with what you have in your home. Discover, eat, share.
Food rut? Not any more! This is a chance for you to cite Alton Brown or be a home version of Giada and Bobby. Your taste buds will thank you later.
Your palate know no bounds so why limit yourself to the same handful of eats on repeat (like the old me)? Time to #PairYourEats!
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How to Participate in the Monthly #PairYourEats Challenge
You are taking pictures of all of your foodie concoctions anyway, so share some of them in a monthly link-up.
Bloggers, on the first of the month post your food pairing pictures and mouthwatering combinations on your blog. Then, come back to Bite Size Wellness and add your link to the link-up below the monthly Pair your Eats post. Remember to grab the Pair your Eats badge for reveal days so others can participate in the link up too! This is a community building opportunity so we will all end up sharing and learning from each other.
Non-bloggers, feel free to add a comment with your favorite foodie combos below the link-up post. We would love to hear about the great flavors we should be mixing together.
Here are some simple guidelines for #PairYourEats participation:
- The link-up party is an extension of the Weekly Bite series so it is highly encouraged to create food pairings or recipes of the seasonal, unique eats introduced to you through the Weekly Bite posts. However, if you do not have access to some of these obscure foods use what you have in your home/hometown and share the flavors you combined that standout! For example, Brittany from Go the Extra Mile added peanut butter and cinnamon to her cottage cheese (um, AMAZING) and Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean showed us that lentils fit right in with mac and cheese. Who would have thought?
- This is a monthly link-up but we can inspire each other all month long! After the Weekly Bite is posted you will have an opportunity to discuss what you think would pair well with the weekly, seasonal eat. Tweet pictures, post comments, share ideas on Facebook…all of these will get our minds rolling for our own kitchen creations. Some of these suggestions will be spotlighted in the monthly link-up with a link to your blog so participation is rewarded!
- While many of your eats seem like “normal” fare to you, they may not be to others. Nothing is off limits, too boring or unusual to post about.
- This is a challenge to try new food and flavors, so while sharing images of previously posted recipes is allowed, making an effort throughout the month to pair new and different foods/flavors together for the sake of your pairing post will benefit your kitchen creation and the foodie community.
- You can dedicate your Pair your Eats post to one dynamite recipe/pairing or to a gallery of food images that tantalized your taste buds throughout the month.
- Don’t be afraid to share your pairing fails. Personally, I will thank you if it means I am forewarned not to mix peanut butter with mushrooms or whatever taste bud disaster you encountered.
- Need ideas? Look at the bottom of each Weekly Bite post for recipe or flavor inspiration.
Contact me if you have any questions about the guidelines or how to get involved!
Are you interested in participating in the #PairYourEats Challenge? Please help me spread the word! Share on Facebook and Twitter, tell your friends and fellow eaters. Anything helps!
CLICK TO TWEET>>> #Foodies unite! Join the #PairYourEats challenge with @BiteSzWellness. Gain food knowledge. Get inspired. http://bit.ly/NWpZ4U #weeklybite <<<CLICK!
Be on the lookout for new Weekly Bite foods to comment on and pair up throughout the month. The first #PairYourEats blog link-up will be on Saturday, September 1st.
Can’t wait for you to join in on the fun!
