Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Ewww Factor

One day last week, after a busy morning of shopping for myself running errands for my family, I popped through the drive-thru of the local St. Louis Bread Co.

Also known as Panera.

Also known as Delicious.

I have found myself frequently enjoying their salads as of late, and treated myself to the bar-b-que chicken chopped salad. It is full of all kinds of tasty things that blend together to make a most delicious party in your mouth.

The only complaint I have with Panera/Bread Co (besides their affinity with Pepsi products. Ewww.) is that you can't really place a 'made-to-order' order. Everything is kind of already made for you, and they are unable to leave off bits and pieces from your salad that are offending.

Like the onions.

And the peppers.

Ewww.

But I know this about Bread Co and I choose to somewhat accept it. On this particular day, I picked the yuckies out as I found them, and left them in a large rejected pile on the side of my plate. (It reminded me for a moment of those days gone by when I would leave a pile of offensive food on my plate as a child and be forced to eat it all in one bite at the end. Major ewww.)

I've decided what I need is this: I need the Jessica Seinfeld con job for adults. Because if I can't see the onions, peppers, or tomatoes? I will gladly eat them and possibly proclaim the flavor combination to be the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. But if I get a glance at the raw, fleshy look of a chopped onion? GAG. I will not eat it. I know it makes no sense to like the flavor of a food, but not the actual food. And as an adult, I should be rationally able to convince myself that quite possibly I DO like onions and peppers.

Ewww.

[Just writing that made me throw up a little bit in my mouth.]

Do you think Ms. Seinfeld could talk to the fine folks at Panera/Bread Co for me? Maybe they could puree the nasties and slip them into my dressing where I won't notice them?

Anyone else have this issue or am I alone in my crazy?

(Daniel, don't answer that.)

19 comments:

Annie ~ Basic Joy said...

I'm a little hung up on the fact that you have a DRIVE THROUGH panera. I am St. Paddy's green with jealousy.

p.s. I'm okay with onions but green peppers are right out--even if they're sneaked in--so please don't go Jessica Seinfeld on my salad. I guess we all have our own brand of crazy!

Anonymous said...

I don't do raw onions. ICK. I don't understand the national obsession with putting them in everything.

danandcindy said...

Are you six? Ewww.

Stefani said...

My son loves smoothies, but hates fruit.

TheCatLord said...

That sounds like a real tasty salad!

Tristan said...

I have come to like more foods as I've gotten older. I don't like fresh onions. Just too strong for me. But I don't mind them cooked in foods. Just not raw. So I always have them removed or pick them out too.

mae said...

I'm definitely not with ya on the veggies- I love them all.

However, your post made me realize that someday in the future I will be able to spend the morning shopping for myself then stop and grab lunch all....by....myself. ahhhhhh. thank you.

Juli said...

I have hidden all kinds of things in Almost Hubs's food.

What he doesn't know won't kill him. Actualy, it might just make him healthier. :)

And I hate plain yogurt. Even if you mix fruit in it. But put it in one of those black cherry smoothies of theirs and I'm completely hooked.

Jessica Seinfield is truely on to something.

Becky said...

In my view you are a little crazy with the no liking the BEST veggies out there. But, we are all a little crazy in our own ways, ...true?

Amanda said...

I was the pickiest(is that a word?) eater until I got married. My husband eats anything, and makes everything look and smell delightful. Even that sub of his...the one with banana peppers and onions and tomatoes, and many more things I would have NEVER tried. I just closed my eyes and went for it. Now I eat everything! I've learned not to examine what goes on the fork, but rather appreciate the flavors melding together in my mouth. It works...really. Try it. Blindly eat the salad next time. Don't miss your mouth or anything, but don't examine it either. It will change your life. And frankly, I am happy to say that I am a little less high maintenance!

Yuliya said...

You made me LOL, as I do exactly the same thing - I will NOT eat onion if I can identify it in my food! But I love salsa, and stir fry and soups! You are not the only one who is weird! :)
P.S. On the other hand, my dad loves onions, so when we're eating salad, I always give him mine!

brooke said...

Raw onions ruin anything! But I am with you. If I don't see them, I can eat them. I love the idea of Jessica Seinfeld for adults. I hate veggies too!

Travelin'Oma said...

I love raw onions! A giant thick slice of onion (one that makes your eyes water) is the BEST part of a hamburger. They give me heartburn now, so I've had to give them up. But just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

Lauren in GA said...

I wish I knew of a Jessica Seinfeld-like trick to help us both. Maybe eat the offensive food first and then reward ourselves with the part we like?

Yeah, I've got nothing...

Christina B. said...

I don't think you are crazy. Your salad habit sounds a lot healthier than mine- I think their mac and cheese is one of the best foods ever. No onions to pick out either. :)

Jeanelle said...

I avoid raw onions and any type/color of peppers in my salads. Tomatoes are okay but only if they are diced (yes, seriously.) If it's a tomato wedge or a slice or if it's on a sandwich/burger...gag me. I also can't eat bananas or any other mushy fruit (which is almost all of them.)

Jeanelle said...

p.s. what is WRONG with Panera and their Pepsi deal? Sick and wrong. Oh and a new Panera just opened today about a block from my office. So happy about it!

jessica said...

I Am You!!!! I love salsa but only when it is pureed to the point that it is the consistency of ketchup. I don't do mushrooms, olives, onions, peppers of any kind or cooked tomatoes. I know I sound like I'm five. When something calls for green chilis I use green chili enchilada sauce.

Kitty said...

My son's first sentence was, "I LOVE onion!"
All my children got raw bell peppers, raw red onion slices (after being soaked in water for a bit,) cherry tomatoes (when choking hazard age was past,) cucumber slices and the like when teething and then all through childhood. None of them are fussy about any foods. Neither am I :)

But I figure when you grow up to be an adult, you're allowed to be as fussy as you like about whatever you like. It's your reward for making it past puberty in one piece.

Kind regards, Kitty :)