As adult humans, most of us feel a drive to improve ourselves in some way. Many people want to improve their bank accounts, or waist line, or knowledge. This year... maybe two or three months ago... I realized what I want to improve. Well, ok, there are many things I am working on improving, but one thing in particular is a recent change. I am working to improve my palette. I want to be a cultured culinary connoisseur.

Christopher is on this kick with me as well. Previously he didn't like the following: tomatoes, bell peppers, asparagus, amongst other things I can't remember right now. With the exception of tomatoes, all those things are now on the I-like-it list. His willingness to be more open to foods he previously didn't like encouraged me to recognize what I didn't like and try to change it.

One food item that I never liked growing up was mushrooms. I liked mushroom flavored things, just not the fungus itself. With consistent effort to try different types of mushrooms, I can finally say that I like 'em. The first type to make it onto the list was Enokitake; that was followed by Portobello. More recently, I've added White Buttons and Oyster mushrooms. The final mushroom to make it onto the list was Shiitake. I admit, I'm still not in love with Shiitake, mostly because the flavor is so powerful that it's a bit overwhelming. However, I'll never refuse a dish just because mushrooms are in it. And I don't order things sans mushrooms. I even voluntarily put them in my stir fry at home.

So why is this important to me? Well, mostly, I find that picky eating is a quality that I don't care for, and I'd like to rid myself of it as much as I can. The happier I become, the less I talk about things that I don't like and focus on the things that I do like. Therefore, why not like more things in turn?

There is one food that I have never liked and is a serious damper on this phase of culinary growth. Those of you who know me even the slightest bit know what I'm talking about. It's chocolate. Yes, the food that the majority of the rest of the world adores has always made me scrunch my nose in disgust. I used to like Butterfingers, but even those, I found, have lost 100% of their luster, and I can't really see myself eating one ever again. So, what to do about this? Well, I don't want to leave any stone unturned; therefore, chocolate is included in my quest.

Believe it or not, I have actually found two food stuffs that I enjoy that contain chocolate... oooh.. make that three, I just remembered. The first item I tried and liked was Strawberry Soyjoy Bars. Delicious. The second, Hazelnut Quadratini Wafer Cookies. Delicious. And finally, Quaker Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars. ... not "wow! delicious", but edible if I'm hungry.

I consider these three items to be three baby steps for the grocery store and three giant leaps for me. I don't think I'll like Triple German Chocolate Cake anytime soon, but who knows maybe I'll like it at some future unknown date.

As a random side note, the guy at the table next to me at the coffee shop seems to be sermon writing. FYI.

It might take some time before I conquer the mountain that is the availability of chocolate and chocolate products. In the meantime, I'll still be trying more and more mushrooms and liking the heck out of my meals.

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