I’m Not Picky
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“The expression of preferences is the essence of love.” – Stefan Molyneux
Alana Miles
I’m really not picky. There are a few things I won’t eat. I’m entitled to that, aren’t I? Let’s start with the obvious: eggs. They’re disgusting. Unless they’re mixed up well in a cake, I just can’t do it. And before you tell me that I haven’t had them the right way, let me assure you, I’ve tried them any way they can be prepared. And they’re ALL nasty. Same with sweet potatoes. I gave them a shot in casseroles, baked like a regular potato, even as fries. Gross, is all I can tell you. Besides – what exactly is a sweet potato – other than a vegetable having an identity crisis? Are you sweet or are you savory? You don’t even know!
I hate to admit it, but I just can’t stomach ham. My mouth simply rejects it. Now – I do love bacon but any other pork product is sure to provoke my gag reflex. Black eyed peas and most any kind of bean (especially butter beans) will stay quite still in the pan if they’re waiting to be devoured by me. Again – I know, I know, don’t knock them ‘till you’ve tried them. But I can assure you that I have. As far as taste, they’ve been found wanting. And blue cheese? Can I really be blamed for finding that rancid, foul-smelling and rotten-tasting dairy product unappetizing?
Now, I may lose some of you here, but I’m going to be honest and tell you that, my name is Alana Miles, and I don’t like pie. There. I said it. And while we’re at it, unpopular opinion as it may be, I don’t like cobbler. Or bread pudding, for that matter. It’s true. Dessert shouldn’t be soggy and if I’m pressed to pick a pie that I could partake in, the only pie fit to eat, in my opinion, is chocolate. But I would never order a slice. Milk is only something I can consume in cereal or if it’s chocolate. I have never been able to drink milk. Eeeeeewww. I also can’t bring myself to drink Gatorade of any flavor, Dr. Pepper, root beer, Mountain Dew, Tab, or orange juice. Just give me Coke, sweet iced tea, or just plain old water. And coffee, of course.
But perhaps my real hangup is seafood. I’m not allergic to it or anything. I simply don’t like it. I think it’s a texture thing and a smell thing. I mean, I know it’s a Southerner’s favorite, fried catfish and all. But give me the hushpuppies and the coleslaw and I’ll be MUCH happier than if I try to munch on any kind of aquatic creature. No, I’m a chicken girl. Give me chicken most meals and I’m perfectly content. And corn. Corn has to be my very favorite vegetable. Like chicken, corn is so versatile. There are endless possibilities of ways to enjoy them.
I know that my list isn’t simply “I don’t like vegetables” or “I only eat chicken nuggets” – it’s really kind of more all over the map. And I know what you’re thinking: How can she possibly think she’s not picky when her list of “inedibles” is so long and involved? But honestly, I’ve had enough birthdays to know what I like and what I don’t. And believe me – I’ve tried everything on the list at least once, if not multiple times. They’re still terrible. So, I can’t be accused of unjustly judging a book by its cover. And maybe part of getting older is not forcing yourself to like things because you’re supposed to. Instead, you can start to know yourself well enough to politely decline. Anyway, I can save those calories for something I actually do enjoy. We don’t have to apologize for every little preference we have. Whether its food, hobbies, fashion, or anything else, a simple, “No thank you. That’s not for me” ought to suffice. Besides, saying “No” to one thing, frees me up to saying “Yes” to something else. In the end, God has given us endless things to enjoy. As we’re reminded in Psalms 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Each and every day we can find enjoyment in something and a hope everlasting in our salvation. I hope you eat something yummy today and if there’s something you’d rather not, then you have my support to be picky and say, “No.”
Have a blessed day!
