The Omnivore's 100

The Omnivore's Hundred

Lora's Recipes and later a fellow blogger Beth posted a note about the Omnivore's Hundred and it seemed like a lot of fun. You'll see how LIMITED my taste buds are!! I've bolded the ones I've tried. There are some links to Wikipedia that are underlined.

The Omnivore’s Hundred
Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. --- hmmmm --- not exactly sure how to cross items out without Word, so I'll just put a big fat x by them
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/ linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding X
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp (in my younger days when I loved tarter sauce enough to try a bit of fish here and there)
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari I know! I can't believe it either! I was at a $100/plate New Year's party with a friend in Vale, and her Dad wanted me to try it. What would you do??
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart... I don't think from a street cart, but from everywhere else!
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle X
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes - yum-o!
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras X
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese X
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters X
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float (mmmmm)
36. Cognac with a fat cigar X
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (shhh! I can't believe this one either....)
39. Gumbo (Mmm, Josh makes a delicious sans seafood Gumbo!)
40. Oxtail X
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects X (unless I happened to end up like Survivor Man)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu X
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel X
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin X
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone X
54. Paneer X
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads X
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs X
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis X
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette X
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe X
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill X
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail X
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum - Thanks to TA!
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare X
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse X
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab X
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish X
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake X

Baby updates

I have a secret blog where I have been trying to journal every day for memories later on and to document feelings, symptoms, getting prepared, etc. So, I'll try not to use this blog for baby stuff as much -- just updates for my faithful viewers. I get an email every week that says what's happening to our little guy or gal and it is just amazing let me tell you. Just now, for example, our baby is already learning to suck "its" thumb! Seriously! And it's only like 2 inches long. Our baby is smart! : )

Food has been an issue lately. For as long as I can remember, I've always had wierd eating habits, so friends always joked that when I started eating "normally", they'd know I was pregnant. Well, I'm here, and it's not gotten any better, even though I am much more aware of what I need to get in my belly. Meat especially is always a hassle for me. I love hot dogs ... like the bottom of the meat food chain and not the most healthy option. I love deli turkey meat ... but there is a warning about deli meat for preggers. I have been faithfully taking my prenatal vitamin just to make sure I'm getting the good stuff, even if it's not the best stuff (straight from the source). I haven't had too much morning sickness because I think I've learned the secret for my body -- keep food in my stomach. Do it. When I wake up, I immediately eat a handful of almonds that are right by my bed. I eat at every break possible during school. It's kind of ridiculous buying groceries, but I've been trying to pack a peach and baggie of carrots, for example, for my two breaks at school.

I've been buying maternity clothes if I find them supercheap ($7 bought me a pair of pants, a bra, and a dress at JCPenney's with a $10 off coupon two weeks ago, for example). I don't know what I'll need, but I figure, well, I know I'll need SOME stuff, so I might as well stock up when I can. My MIL, RJ, also is making me some clothes which is very special and wonderful!

I've been tired like nobody's business lately. I've been back to school and started coaching softball, and when I get home, I'm beat. Our apartment was showing it last Friday. Weekends are so wonderful, and so is my husband, who has stepped it up to help out and do my share most of the time, too. I really don't feel too badly for him, since his school hasn't started yet. Also, my upstairs neighbor, BB, and I were chatting about how guys just don't see what we see. Unless JJ has a specific list, he doesn't know really what to do to help out. He thinks the house is "clean" almost all of the time, when I can see probably five things at least that need to be done. Ahhh, the joys of differences in relationships.

House Hunters

Today Realtor JY, JJ and I checked out some houses JJ found online and JY suggested. All together we looked at 10. In a row. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. The deal is, we just want to keep our eyes open. We are pretty much all about the cheap rent living on campus, but, well, with a little critter on the way, space is a factor. Another factor is not knowing 100% where we'll be in the next few years. JJ found some houses we feel are pretty reasonably priced. You see, we're in the "fixer upper" category. JJ is very handy, he has lots of friends, and he has lots of brothers. All of this factors into our ability to look at "cheap" houses. I use the word "cheap" here on purpose -- not just "inexpensive". I feel we found 3-4 that we could look more into. JJ said 4-5. The definite highlight of the whole outing was when we were looking through one of the houses that was currently occupied with college kids -- a bach. pad to say the least -- and when inspecting the loft, JY and JJ found a guy sleeping in the bed (at 2:30 in the afternoon after JY had set up the whole house walk-through) -- when I heard they were talking to someone I decided to stay down the stairs. When we were writing down pluses and minuses afterwards in the car, JJ told me to note that this one came with a butler in the loft. JY laughed and said, "Oh, and a maid!" We were both like, wha? And JY said, "Oh, you didn't see the maid??" heehee

Big NEWS!

Here is a big update for my faithful viewers. I, Mrs. EJ, am preggers. That's right folks. My egg-o is preggo. We are due March 7 according to my doc and are thrilled to say the least. I'm sure not everyone wants to hear all the details, but we did go back and forth about when would be a good time to start trying. We decided there is no perfect time and if we wait for a perfect time we'll be waiting forever. So, here we are! We had our first appointment yesterday and everything went well. We even got to listen to the heartbeat! For like 2 seconds. Then, baby J (or Mini Danger J as my friend NW coined our babe -- "Danger is my middle name. No really. It is!") drifted safely behind my heartbeat and... other tummy noises. At a few points it sounded like there was a baby monster in there! JJ keeps joking that I'm having kitties, so I guess at least we didn't hear any meows. So there you have it. The big secret that has been SO so hard to keep! Feel free to send any advice. We might not take it, but we'll be glad to hear it!

Help! Anyone? Help me!

Today we had tech. training at a local high school. We were surprised with the announcement that we got an hour and a half lunch! Yippee! Compared to the 20-25 minutes we normally get it was heaven! I called JJ on my way out of the building to see what I could pick up for lunch since we would get to eat together, something else that rarely happens during the school year. As I got closer to my car, I realized that, oops, I forgot my car keys in the room. I ran back in and as I was nearing the classroom we were training in, I hear over the loudspeaker, "For those of you still in the building, please disregard the fire alarm. We are doing testing." I braced myself knowing full well that I would jump anyways like the scaredy-cat I am. The alarm goes off, and all of the doors close with it. AND lock. I am in a pretty long hallway at this point, so I run, looking much like a mouse in a maze, from door to door hoping one was left unlock. I find a door to the outside that says, "Alarm will sound." and am just about to do it. I don't even care anymore! : ) When I think to call JJ and have him give me the number to the office so that I can call and let them know of my plight. As JJ is looking up the number (and laughing out loud -- jerk!), my savior, errrr, a custodian, comes through unlocking doors on his way. I tell him what happens, and even though he is chuckling, he seems sympathetic as well. I finally get out and enjoy a long (albeit not quite an hour and a half due to technical difficulties) lunch!

It's been too long

Yikes! It's been awhile! I have had much to blog about, but if I write it all in this one blog, I know you will skim through or skip most of it, so I'll break it up. You have to hang on my every detail, don't you see?



So, let's start with an overview recap of this weekend. We went south a bit to visit JJ's bro AJ and SIL LJ. We always enjoy us some AJ/LJ time, and of course the LJ2 and BJ time. AJ/LJ's kids are so cute and such sweeties (most of the time... c'mon they're 4 and 2, we can't have perfect expectations for them!). JJ and AJ got in a round of golf, we played some wii, went for a bike ride, and even hit up KM's bridal shower (pampered chef -- with a delicous meal and absolutely perfect cupcakes -- thanks CM!). The main reason we were in town was for the wedding of JN (now JE) and RE. It was so. much. fun. But, that is a different post.

To work again, work again, jiggity jig

It's started. Duh duh duuuuuuh. I had a meeting today that lasted about two hours debating which teams would get which paras. I have to say, we are kind of stacked. We have some good ones that will really be great for the kiddos. I also got to meet the Resident Teacher (RT) who will be working with us. Awwww, for cute, I remember when I was an RT three years ago. She is a second year RT and is so with it. She will be an amazing help to me -- and actually she is case managing six of my kiddos. I went through all of my students' files (except my new student who just moved to town last week), wrote down IEP and 3-yr eval dates, and wrote down area of disability, goal categories, and modifications (for classroom teachers). I have 23 (I think at last count) students on my caseload. They are mostly students with LD, but I do have a few students with ED as well. There are no kids with autism or MR on my caseload this year, which is pretty unique I think. My first IEP is due 9-19 --- yipes! Teachers better get to know that kid right away so we can write about his present level of performance and set new goals... in September!

Bach'n it up

JJ left yesterday morning to go camping for a bachelor party for our friend RE. Our friend JPJ left yesterday to go fishing with his uncle-in-law (? don't know if that's actually a term or if "uncle" suffices). So, CAJ and I were bach'n it up yesterday. We went to a movie, ordered Chinese in, watched the Olympics, went for a walk and then this morning met at Church. It is fun to just be girly, but I know both of us missed our boys, too. JPJ is back home, but I'm still waiting for my JJ.

Good thing I don't have to worry about JJ at a bachelor party. He's a good guy. And, there shouldn't be any women anywhere near them. : ) JJ did tell the guys to bring dollar bills, but only because he'd be dancing. I guess maybe it runs in the family. The only reason there may be a cause for concern is he will be joined by the Crazy Redheaded J's... hopefully he doesn't come back with any wild and crazy adventure stories. But, if he does, I'll keep you posted!

Olympics are HERE!

Since we were on the road Friday afternoon/evening, we missed Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. Yesterday from 8am-3pm we had a planned power outage. So finally after going to "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" at 1:10, I could start getting into the Olympics. And let me tell you, I have been a diligent fan. I could be doing the dishes. I could be putting clean clothes away from our trip (thank goodness for RJ and CMJ's washer and dryer!). I could be getting ready for school -- it only starts a week from tomorrow. But noooooo, I am parked in front of the TV watching the Olympics. Even though I have little interest in the weight lifting and don't really get the scoring of the equestrian, I have not strayed from the four channels covering the Olympics on our TV.

That's poop!

So yesterday morning we woke up early at JJ's parent's house to say goodbye to JJ's Dad (CMJ) before he left for work. After he left, we found JJ's mom (RJ) at her computer in the basement. We were just kind of hanging out when I noticed that the carpet was wet. In fact, as I stepped closer to RJ's sewing room, the carpet was soaked. And then, as I searched farther, noticed that there was standing water in the sewing room. We kind of just gawked for a few moments and then raced into action. We just started moving stuff out of the way and trying to figure out where the heck the water was coming from. JJ was my hero because he immediately turned off the power. I was so thankful he had safety in mind. RJ found her carpet cleaning vacuum that happens to suck up water. We started "vacuuming" up the water - the vacuum had a rather small container, so we also had to find a bucket or two that we could fill up. I don't know how many of the buckets were dumped outside, but it was a lot. RJ called the plumbers, but no one answered -- and they never did get back to us. RJ later called the guy who cleans their septic tank, thinking it may have backed up there (however he was also apparently unavailable). Jeez, good thing there was no real emergency or anything. One good thing --- this water mess was not stinky, so we knew it wasn't dirty stuff coming up.

JJ's brother, BJ, went to town to get a roto rooter to try to unclog the pipes. JJ tried to snake it around the drain, but to no avail. I tried to just keep busy taking wet stuff outside so it could dry. While I was hanging a soaked quilt-in-the-making on the sewing line, I saw RJ by this pipe in their backyard. She was trying to snake the rooter through to check if there was a clog on the outside. She wasn't using the snake quite correctly, and when she brought it up, she all of a sudden said (in a matter-of-fact exclamation), "That's poop!" She went on to say it was on her hand and describe that it wasn't like fresh poop, so the septic system was working. I was laughing so hard and at the same time crying and I don't remember my exact words, but I said something like, "I'm sorry RJ, but I can't be by you right now." And I went to the back of the garage and started gagging, and trying not to throw up. It was extrememly hillarious and disgusting all at the same time.

In the end, we got the carpets fairly dry in the basement living room, RJ's sewing room, CMJ's office and the pantry area that housed the pipe that was overflowing. We set up fans and got most of the wet stuff out of the area. Each of us had other plans for the day, but both JJ and I are so thankful we were in town so we could help his parents out.

The big adventure...

Last night after supper, CPJ, JJ's brother, announced (I think it was more of a joke than an announcement) that we were all going prairie dog hunting. RJ, JJ's mom, enthusiastically said, "OK!" So, we set off. We drove and drove, then stopped in the middle of nowhere. On the way out, JJ gave us hunter's safety instructions that included things like "don't stand in front of the guns (no kidding!) and "don't, under any circumstances make prairie dog noises or these trained hunters might instinctively turn on us" (ha!). We got out of the J Painting van (I'm sure CMJ would be happy to know where some of the gas money was going...). CPJ and JJ loaded up with CPJ's two guns, gun stand, and bullets. We walked and walked, being careful not to step on cacti or in a hole and twist our ankles. We got to try out the guns and both RJ and I hit a cactus about 20 yards away. The boys lead the way to the prairie dog community. JJ had great fun directing us around, "Girls! You stand over there." "Girls! Come along, we're going to a new area!" "Girls! Please stop calling to the prairie dogs so they go in their holes!"

The boys shot a rabbit, and neither RJ or I could really stand it. The rabbit really was so dumb or tame it wasn't much sport. He just looked around as the boys missed a few times. CPJ commentated, "Are you going to feed me? Do you want to pet me? What are those bullet things going by my head?" Later, when they were pinpointed on a prairie dog community, we saw a rabbit and kind of made friend with it. We positioned ourselves in line with the rabbit so the boys couldn't see it. Later, when we turned to go back, the boys spotted the rabbit and one of its rabbit buddies. We called out to it, "Go to your home!" "Go away!" But, it just sat and looked at us. The boys realized we weren't going to back down, and we had a victory in the dead rabbit count.

We made it safely back to the van, even without those intelligent prairie dogs CPJ talked up so much, overtaking the van.

Totally drained...

After my full day of work (ok, I did take a quick snooze during lunch), RJ (JJ's mom) and I are tiiiired. JJ and the rest of the crew seem to be taking a day of hard work in stride. Here is what we did today:

*Loaded the truck with JJ... or more like sat in the truck and solved the world's problems while he tries out the texture machine he will be using and loads the truck... to work on the photo studio in town
*Got to photo studio and the lady is there shooting (? snapping?) a family photo session - she tells us she'll need at least another half of an hour
*RJ remembers that CJ (JJ's dad) told her to mow the boys' lawn (lawn is used quite optimistically here -- more like weeds), so we head back to the house to load the mower and weed wacker -- RJ's sister NS is at the house doing her laundry and we chat for a bit
*We get to the apartment, which CJ and RJ own, and find out there is no string in the weed wacker -- RJ runs to the local hardware store
*I mow, JJ weed wacks and RJ pulls up weeds -- we find a few things burried under the weeds, such as a rake
*We empty the clippings and head back to the photo studio
*At the photo studio, JJ gets to work patching over the sheetrocking, while RJ and I move all of our equipment to the room we are working on
*We go home for lunch. Naps for RJ and I. JJ works on the house -- putting up styrofoam-like stuff for the dryvit base
*We go back to the photo studio, where JJ textures and RJ and I solve more of the world's problems while we put up plastic and drop cloths and open up a tv box to use as a shield
*Grocery and heavy-duty staple shopping while JJ cleans the equipment
*Home again, home again where I convince RJ to make "Russian Poofs" -- ground meat, onions and cheese inside a bread dough casing that is baked. mmm mmm delicious!
*Some emails, some blogs, and lots of sitting on the couch with my feet up!

Allll in a day's work for J Painting and crew! More to come tomorrow!

My jobs this week...

We are in JJ's parents' home town. JJ has been here for a week taking down the siding on his parents' house and putting up dryvit, and also working on a new photography studio in town. I am excited to be put to work for a week. I asked the Boss Man (JJ's dad) what my job was this week. He said my first job is to tame the litter of kitties they have. It sounds like a fun job, but let me tell you, those little guys are fiesty (and super cute!). Then, my next job is to scrape the paint off of the deck. This sounds simple enough - not the most fun job, but a job nonetheless. The only catch for me is he is planning on taking the deck off next year. So why go through the scraping and staining process only to tear it down? Because he has an extra bucket of stain. For those of you that know CJ, you completely know where he is coming from -- maybe not understand his logic -- but know where he is coming from. So, I am rebelling just a bit, and following JJ to the photo studio to be his assistant. Poor, poor JJ. : )