I remember growing up and having an aversion to countless, different foods.  I know you feel my pain.  These were foods that I’d refuse to try based on color, texture, taste, or the simple fact that I was a petulant child.

I cannot comprehend how many times my mom said, “Just TRY the broccoli, for God’s sake!”  But I would adamantly refuse because, at the time, broccoli tasted like tree bark.  Or what I thought tree bark would taste like.

Now that I’m settling in to my 40’s, I’m really trying to consume healthier foods, like brussel sprouts (which I used to despise) and the aforementioned broccoli.

But there are still a couple foods that I loathe with every fiber of my being.  Just the mere mention of them makes me suppress my gag reflex.  First and foremost, I can’t stand any sort of melon.  I’ve seen countless fruit salads ruined (RUINED, I tell you) thanks to the addition of sliced cantaloupe.  Blech.  And don’t even get me started on (urp!) watermelons.  I’ve even gotten nauseated over the smell of a watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher.  Apparently, it’s all the rage now to “inject” an entire bottle of vodka in to a whole watermelon as some sort of adult treat.  Believe me, there’s not enough vodka in the world to make that sound appealing.

Another food that makes me cringe is corned beef.  If I’m out to lunch with friends I won’t let anyone at the table order a Reuben, lest it impede my meal.  Tough love, I know.  But I distinctly remember eating corned beef hash growing up.  One time it made me so violently ill that I think I ruptured a spleen throwing up.  I’ve been traumatized for life.

You can also add mayonnaise, prime rib (or any sort of rib, for that matter), sweet pickles and beer to that mix.  I wouldn’t exactly call myself a picky eater because Lord knows I’ll try new things.  But don’t even THINK about coming near me with a beer-bread prime rib sandwich laden with mayo and pickles.  Just sayin’.