The One Month Mark

As of July 10th we have been in France for one month. One month of getting used to the new culture and food and language. We'll get back to less scattered posts but for today, some observations and purely subjective opinions:

I can't tell if it's the mindset or if food really does taste better here.

Black olives marinated in garlic and basil taste good!

Truffles are yummy.

There is such a thing as too much charcuterie and wine.

Yes, it really does seem to be one of the sunniest places on earth so far.

Farmer's markets are AWESOME!

Emmental seems to be the usual default cheese.

With regards to pizza, mozzarella >> emmental! How do the French not realize this?!

This country is waaaaay less idiot proof than North America.

It's still strange to see eggs stored outside of the refrigerated section.

Bonus: This place is gorgeous.

And that's where we're at. 

Eating with Hyperemesis - Go-To Goodies

Being pregnant with HG, in addition to meds, I need to always have a little nibble within arm's reach, just in case.

Here's what I am and am not eating these days.  If it helps just one person find something to eat, I'll be satisfied.

GOOD STUFF

• Saltine/Soda crackers, with salt
• Steamed rice, with salt
• Plain, instant mashed potato flakes prepared with water and/or skim milk. No butter/margarine!  Season to taste.  They're not as nutritious as 'real' potatoes, but they stay down better.
• Cream of Wheat made with water and a bit of salt. It's a good source of iron and seriously, surprisingly awesome when just resuming solids!
• Cream of Wheat 'pudding' - Mash up a quarter to a third of a banana. Mix in with cooking liquid or just stir into prepared Cream of Wheat.  Eat warm or chilled.
• Cooked and cooled frozen peas (salt optional)
• String beans, boiled or steamed
• Apple slices with cinnamon - NOT cinnamon sugar
• Frozen grapes - Regular grapes are okay too, but I have to be careful not to eat too fast. Frozen is soothing and helps me to eat more slowly, reducing the odds of sugar overload.
• Watermelon
• Most lower acid fruits are okay. Oranges and grapefruits, not so much.
• 0% Plain Greek yogurt mixed with unsweetened applesauce. Dash of cinnamon, optional.
• Kraft singles.  I don't know why these are okay, but they are and I'll take what I can get!

RISKY STUFF

• Nuts and seeds. They're too high in fat.
• Cheese. Ditto.
• Most any other crackers since they contain sugar.
• A whole banana. It sits too heavy and sweet.
• Citrus fruits
• Pineapple. Very acidic and high in sucrose. I can manage maybe a bite or two amid other fruits.
• Cookies - sugar
• Granola bars - sugar
• Anything with tomato sauce.
• Anything with mayo.
• Anything with ketchup/prepared mustard/relish, etc.
• Anything full fat.
• Anything garlic.
• Anything onion.

WHEN GOOD GOES BAD

Honestly, it's nearly impossible to tell when something will switch from safe to heartburn and nausea inducing, so if I find myself hit with a little bit of heartburn, here's my trick:

• Go get a bottle of Bragg's Apple Cider. (I don't usually care about brands, but this one smells and tastes totally different to me.)
• Shake the bottle really well.
• Open the bottle and waft it towards your nose.  If the smell makes you recoil, step away and try again later. BUT! If it smells good, like a very tart apple cider, put a tiny bit in a shot glass. Add a splash of cool water to help smooth it out.
• Take a test sip.
• If you didn't just run to make an offering to the porcelain throne, shoot 'er back!

It's counter-intuitive and I could break out more technical terminology, but the basic idea is this: sometimes, with all those lovely hormones running through you, relaxing everything, your stomach's valve doesn't always "close up" completely, so some stomach acid sloshes out and up, giving that tell-tale burn.  A hit of sharp acid - like vinegar - jolts the valve, triggering it to shut tight, ending the flow of acid, and soothing the burn. Voila! Relief! For a while anyway.

(Standard disclaimers apply. I'm not a doctor or medical professional. This has been my experience. I only provide anecdotal evidence. Your mileage may vary.)

Sure, it isn't the best diet, but it's a darn sight better than saltines and ginger tea exclusively!  I'm still trying to incorporate more protein sources.  Eggs are a coin toss item - sometimes they're fine, sometimes not.  I suspect tofu will be okay.

Also, aside from the fruit, you'll notice a lot of the items can, ahem, clog the works.  Staying hydrated while getting the necessary calories is crucial, but also a challenge. This is where 100% fruit juice can be your friend.  I like 1 part apple juice (bonus points for low-acid) to 2 parts water. 

Trying to manage a good amount of fruit without getting too much sugar and leaving food-free gaps to consume liquid are both very important!  It's a tricky balance to strike - one I'm still trying to find.

What about you?  Pregnancy, chemotherapy, anyone who has had to deal with chronic nausea and/or vomiting to some degree for whatever reason! What nibbles got you through the worst of things?  What foods do you miss the most?

100 Foods to Try Before You Die

There's a list buzzing around online and on Facebook lately. 100 foods to try before you die! I figured, why not join the masses this time. Here's how my experience so far measures up to the "100 foods" list.

1. Venison - Yes, and I enjoyed it well enough. My favourite preparation has been in the form of maple-venison sausages.
2. Nettle tea - I don't believe I've had the opportunity. :(
3. Huevos rancheros - Only pathetically Canadianized: fried eggs topped with salsa. So, no. :(
4. Steak tartare - Not yet, but I would if given the chance.
5. Crocodile - Yes, once or twice. It didn't make much of an impact.
6. Black pudding - Haven't had the chance, but I would.
7. Cheese fondue - a few times. Mmmm, gooey, fatty, cheesy deliciousness. The only thing I didn't like were the little pickles and onions for dipping.
8. Carp - I don't think so.
9. Borscht - Again, not yet.
10. Baba ghanoush - Yes, often. Eggplant and garlic - what's not to like?
11. Calamari - Many times. Usually battered and fried at the pub. Delish!
12. Pho - Not yet. Pho is Vietnamese. Vietnamese cooking uses lots of peanuts. I'm allergic to peanuts. Find me guaranteed safe pho and I'll gladly try it!
13. PB&J sandwich - See 12. Peanut allergy makes this impossible. I have had sandwiches with various nut butters (almond, cashew, or roasted soy) and jelly, though.
14. Aloo gobi - I've had a few Indian dishes (saag aloo, palak paneer, etc) but not specifically aloo gobi, so, no.
15. Hot dog from a street cart — A few times, usually when I don't have time for anything better. (I'm not a hot dog fan.)
16. Epoisses - No, I haven't tried this. How have I not tried this? I must try this!
17. Black truffle - Truffle flavoured oil? Yes. Actual truffles? Not yet.
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - Absolutely. Strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, dandelion...
19. Steamed pork buns - Regular, and BBQ, and I love them both.
20. Pistachio ice cream - Yes. It's okay.
21. Heirloom tomatoes - Yes, there was a free tasting of different varieties downtown last year. It was interesting.
22. Fresh wild berries - Absolutely. Wild blueberries and raspberries back home.
23. Foie gras - Oh, so good. If you're worried, though, do try to make sure that the one you try was ethically produced.
24. Rice and beans - Well, I've had rice. I've had beans. I've had them side by side. I've had them mixed together. Technically, yes. Purists would likely say no.
25. Brawn, or head cheese - Yep. I really couldn't see what the fuss was about. I enjoyed it. The gelatin made the whole thing seem more tender (after all, it's the gelatin in the "tough cuts" that makes stew meat so delicious.)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - Not straight, and not planning to.
27. Dulce de leche - I've had dulce de leche flavoured things, but not proper dulce de leche. I so would, though.
28. Oysters - Both raw and cooked. I preferred them raw, but can pass on the mignonette sauce. I'm not so fond of vinegary flavours.
29. Baklava - Yes.  Very sweet, very tasty. Somehow spicier than I'd imagined. I don't know why.
30. Bagna cauda - not yet. :(
31. Wasabi peas - Yep. Crunchy. Horseradish-type spicy. Bar snack. Enh.
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl - Not in this exact configuration, no.
33. Salted lassi - Tried it. It's okay. I much prefer a mango lassi, though.
34. Sauerkraut - yes. Ick.
35. Root beer float - Of course. A childhood treat if ever there was one.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - I have had cognac. I've never smoked anything, though, including cigars. Don't plan to, either.
37. Clotted cream tea - Haven't had the opportunity.
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O - Yes. They don't taste that good. I want to give the humble jello shot a makeover someday - make it worth getting buzzed on. Edit: there are some amazing sites out there that elevate the jello shot to an art form - a tasty one. This site rocks.
39. Gumbo - Yes, but not with okra in it. There was no okra available at the time.
40. Oxtail - Not yet, but I would.
41. Curried goat - Not curried, but I've had goat.
42. Whole insects - BBQ seasoned mealworms. Not a big deal, except that they were ridiculously overpriced as they were a novelty item.
43. Phaal - No. I don't particularly want to, either.
44. Goat’s milk - (Not yet. Maybe I should. I know where I can get some...) Edit - Yes I have. No, it doesn't taste the same as cow's milk - the lingering after taste had that distinctive goat cheesy tang.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more - If only...
46. Fugu - Find me a chef certified to do the prep and enough money and I'll be there with bells on.
47. Chicken tikka masala - Yes, a bite or two. I much prefer butter chicken, though.
48. Eel - Oh, I love Japanese BBQ eel. Mmmmm, unagi...
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut - Yes, they bribed us with some at a job one summer. Tasty!
50. Sea urchin - Yes! I got to try it last fall! They tasted like a sweet, creamy, clam and were much improved by a small splash of Japanese soy sauce.
51. Prickly pear - Not yet, I don't think.
52. Umeboshi - Yep, it's still a taste I'm acquiring.  Very, very salty.
53. Abalone - Not yet.
54. Paneer - Yes. Tasty, tasty.
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal - Yes, but fewer than 10 times.
56. Spaetzle - a few times. Pastalicious.
57. Dirty gin martini - I've tasted it. I prefer sweeter drinks, personally.
58. Beer above 8% ABV - Nope.
59. Poutine - Heck yeah!
60. Carob chips - Yes, they're alright.
61. S’mores - A camp tradition.
62. Sweetbreads - Not yet.
63. Kaolin - Someone was saying this is actually Kaopectate? If so, yes. If it's the clay, maybe in toothpaste?
64. Currywurst - Nope.  I'm not breaking my heart over this one, either.
65. Durian - Not yet. Honestly, this one intimidates me a bit.  If I was somewhere and someone could confirm that it was at the perfect stage of ripeness, I would taste it.
66. Frogs’ legs - Yep. Sort of like dark chicken meat, but so much smaller.
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake - Yes, yes, yes, and yes!
68. Haggis - Not yet. I want to. I really want to.
69. Fried plantain - I've had plantain chips from the local bulk store.  I bet the fresh stuff is better.
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette - (Not yet.) Edit: Yes!  I got to taste a bit of andouillette at a charcuterie shop when I was in Paris. (It's still funny to say that.)  Now, I very strongly dislike mustard. I've never in my life said "This would go great with a nice dense bread and some hot mustard" but in that moment, I wanted both and would have happily eaten the three together.
71. Gazpacho - Heck, I've made this.  It's alright.
72. Caviar and blini - Please? Pretty please?
73. Louche absinthe - I had the chance but was pregnant at the time, so, no. :(
74. Gjetost, or brunost - I've tried many cheeses, but I don't think I've had these.
75. Roadkill - Lol, if it was, nobody told me.
76. Baijiu - nope
77. Hostess Fruit Pie - I think I bought one, once. I was at the store. I was hungry. It was cheap.  It wasn't very good, either.
78. Snail - Yes, more than once.  I enjoy those chewy, slimy types of textures - especially when they're drowning in garlic butter and cheese.
79. Lapsang souchong - Heck yes, I have some loose leaf at home. I love it's woodsmoke aroma.
80. Bellini - As the occasional brunch treat, yes.
81. Tom yum - Not yet. Again, Thai foods are hard for me to eat safely.
82. Eggs Benedict - Just about any opportunity I get! So delicious. Rich and decadent.
83. Pocky - Lol, yes.  Chocolatey (or strawberry-y) coated cookie sticks. More of a novelty item back in highschool than anything.
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant - It's on my bucket list.
85. Kobe beef - Ditto.
86. Hare - I've had rabbit a few times, for what it's worth.
87. Goulash - Nope.
88. Flowers - Yes. Roses, nasturtiums, dandelion, violet, chamomile, lavender, etc..
89. Horse - You know, I had the opportunity to try horse tartare on my honeymoon, but I think my husband would have divorced me then and there. (His mom keeps horses.)  We had goose instead.
90. Criollo chocolate - Not yet, though I may get the opportunity in the next month or so...
91. Spam - Yes. *hangs head in shame* Salty, salty, pseudo-meat that gave me heartburn.
92. Soft shell crab - Yes. I don't like this. The texture was a little too akin to soggy nail clippings for my liking. For the record, I don't like shrimp shells, either.
93. Rose harissa - I don't think so. No rush either. I'm not a capsaicin fan.
94. Catfish - Haven't had the chance, but I would.
95. Mole poblano - Nope. Find me a peanut safe and mildly spiced one, and I will, though.
96. Bagel and lox - Yes please! So good. So, so, so good.
97. Lobster Thermidor - Sadly, no. I must fix this.
98. Polenta - Had it? Heck, I've made it. It's basically cornmeal porridge that's either served as porridge or cooked to really really thick and allowed to set into sliceable pieces. Salt level. Is. Key.
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - I doubt it. If I did, I didn't know coffee well enough to appreciate it, yet.
100. Snake - I can't remember. Probably not.

I think the total there is 54/100.

Though I haven't tried everything I'm about to mention, I think the following foods should definitely be on the list:
Elderflower fritters
Turducken
Chicken sashimi (yeah, you heard me.)
Patates Dauphinoises
Bone marrow
Chocolate fondue/ Hot oil fondue
Ichigo daifuku
Inarizushi
Yorkshire puddings (If bagels and lox and Big Mac meals can be on the list, so can this. Imagine a life without ever tasting Yorkshire pudding! That was me before I met my now husband. I had no clue what wonderful tastiness I'd been missing!)
lychees

I'm sure I could come up with more if I stopped to think and look around a bit longer...

What do you think? How many have you tried? How many would you try?  What would you add to my 10 extra items? We need the 100 Foods, v.2.0!