I totally agree that versatility in diet is so important. I've learned to like many things that I never thought I'd like - mostly because there's little I won't try. (Yes, if I get to Sweden, I thoroughly intend to try surstömming. I don't know what smelly things you Finns eat though. I do have a pot of viili in my fridge most of the time.)
I've even had (safely-prepared) raw meat and fish. It's strangely close to the raw vegan principles there...
lol on the hot tea. My ex-sister-in-law is one of those. She's Bengali. But I've been told that even fresh tea straight from the kettle goes into the microwave for a minute or two!
When I was little my sister would eat viili with sugar and cinnamon as a snack after school. I absolutely hated it, I never was a huge fan of dairy products, my mom has told me that as soon as I learnt so speak, I said that I don't want to drink milk since it tastes bad, lol.
Surstömming in Sweden can be a challenge, it isn't the most appetizing thing in the world! If you ever come to Finland during Easter, you should try Mämmi, it looks awful, some people are disgusted by it and some people absolutely love it. I think it's the same thing with surströmming in Sweden. But it's a great thing to taste everything, how could you know whether you like it or not if you don't taste it?
Yeah, sometimes our tastes and preferences are a good guide. Especially with dairy where it can easily be an allergy issue.
My mother has never really liked beetroot, but she likes the beet greens, so grew a whole bunch of beets one year. Not wanting to waste the beetroot, she put a bunch in her smoothie... Turns out, she's allergic to it! She's fine with the greens, but can't have the root.
I agree that you don't know if you don't taste though. My mother (again) loves durian. I haven't tried it, unable to get past the gym sock smell of it, but I was a lot younger then, and would love to give it a try now just to say I have.
The "Allt för Sverige" etc, programs are wonderful because usually at least once during the series, they make these guys try some of the really nasty-looking/smelling dishes of the countries. It's funny, but such a good experience for them!
Have you had snow yet? We're going through our first snowy period of the season right now. Just a generous trace on the ground now, but I like snow.
That part of "Allt för Sverige" etc. programs sound so funny, it's entertaining to see people's reactions to different nasty foods!
We had a little bit of snow last weekend, but it only lasted for one day (thank goodness), I'm not ready for winter yet. Last winter lasted for almost six months and even if it looks really beautiful outside, it becomes quite annoying at some point! How long are your winters there?
The "Alt/Allt for/för" programs are the only reality TV shows I've seen where I would love to participate! I would actually qualify for all three of them, having provable ancestors in all three countries. :-)
But I have some health issues that would make them difficult for me. (My soy intolerance would, undoubtedly, cause problems as well.)
In Wyoming, our winters are pretty much 6 months long too. Our first snows in October, last ones in April or even May. My husband doesn't like snow as much as I though he grew up here! We may (hopefully) return to my home town area - where my Scandinavian roots met US soil. I've always felt closer to my Viking heritage than any other of my lineages.
If you loved to participate in one of those shows, and qualified, why not? It could be a fun experience! :)
Maybe your husband has had enough of the snow, 6 months every year can be a bit much! I hope you'll return to your home town, if that's the place you feel more at home. :)
The shows are quite grueling. I was chatting (via Facebook) to the lady who won the Swedish one a few years ago. (We share first names, lol.) She was talking about just what it takes.
If I were fitter, I'd love to do it. I'd love to be the first person to be on all three shows! But I have many daily struggles at the moment and (honestly), my daughters would also struggle with me being away for such a long time.
When I lived in Wisconsin, similar amounts of winter, I always wanted more snow. The forecast would say 2-4 and I was hoping for 8... Despite the fact that I had to walk in it daily to work (well, the mile after the bus, anyway) often over an overpass that went unplowed most of the time... wind chills, you name it. I learned how to dress for it and cope with it. I loved the weather there!
Nah, my husband is too much of a worrywort sometimes, bless him. He thinks of all the bad things that can happen because of the snow and worries... Yes, there are bad things, but all kinds of weather comes with bad things. It's better to learn to appreciate what you have. But I will always have a hankering for snow - and the seasons in general - in their place.
Being part of those shows must be a struggle in its own way, and it's true that participating isn't for everyone, at least not in every life situation. But hey, maybe one day a even better opportunity will appear! Meanwhile, you get to enjoy the faces of other people eating surströmming etc. lol.
You really seem to love snow, I'll have to talk with you during cold winter days, I feel like you can cheer me up! Even now you made me think positively about winter, thanks for that!