Change can be hard and most often we resist its presence, but not all change is bad. It can even be embraced. Sauerkraut, broccoli and thee-bean salad were the bane of my gastronomic existence growing up. Now, I enjoy all of them and many others I thought were terrible when I was young. The palate is a fun metric to chart how we have changed over the years. There might be a food that we ate during college that brings back memories (i.e., Ramen noodles for $0.08) that can now be revisited at upscale restaurants ($12 with less Sodium???). Moms chocolate chip cookies are certainly still please the palate. Twinkies are still the same, no; really there is no change as if they had remained on the shelf all these years. With the abundance of celebrity chefs and networks devoted to food, it is no wonder we have expanded the food diversity we now expect. Reflecting on how we have changed in this one area can help ease the transition in other areas; after all, constant change is here to stay.
What food did you hate, fed to the dog or hid in your napkin during your childhood? What foods do you now enjoy that you never thought you would willingly eat? What other changes would your childhood-self be surprised? What other changes do you need to embrace?