My whole life, I haven’t eaten guacamole. Unlike eggplant and tomatoes, foods I don’t like because I’ve tried them, the humble avocado hasn’t event warranted a taste. It was green, it was mushy, and I was most definitely not going to try it or anything that was made with it.
I’ve happily lived these thirty-some years without avocados or guacamole. I made sure if I ordered Mexican food, there was no guacamole. You’d be surprised (or maybe not) how easy it is to avoid avocados altogether.
Then, a few weeks ago, everything changed. There wasn’t anything special about the day, really. Nothing extraordinary had happened in the moments leading up to it. We were having a little get together with the snacks being a few items for review. One of those items was guacamole.
I stood at the table, tortilla chip in hand, guacamole in front of me. I looked at it. It looked at me (or I imagine it did.)
Maybe this time, this one time, I’ll give it a try.
If I’m being honest, I don’t remember when I tried it before.
What if I was wrong? What if my tastes have changed? That’s happened before.
At the very least, I can say I tried it and didn’t like it.
So there I stood, those thoughts running through my mind, and I went for it. I took a chance. I made that leap. I dared to eat guacamole.
I dipped the chip, I took a bite, and as the spicy yet creamy taste of the guacamole hit my taste buds, a feeling of complete shock started to hit me. All it once, it seemed like I was hit by three or four thoughts all at the same time.
Wow, this tastes good!
How is this possible?
Could it be I like guacamole?
What does this all mean?
All very good thoughts, and all leading towards the final thought, I like guacamole.
It’s a strange feeling when you realize that you’ve gone through life missing out on something totally amazing. I look back at all those times there was guacamole served with chips and think of all the awesome snacking I missed out on. Yet at the same time, I was a younger, different person then. Maybe I wasn’t mature enough to appreciate guacamole. Maybe I wasn’t ready to handle the awesome flavors. We’re constantly growing and changing in every way, perhaps I just needed time to grow into guacamole.
I wonder how many other things in my life are like guacamole. How many other things could I be missing out on because I grew up thinking a certain way but not knowing or understanding why I’m thinking that way? How many passions and joys have passed me by because I didn’t dare – didn’t even imagine – to challenge something I thought I knew.
This whole experience, or this simple experience, of tasting guacamole has changed me in more ways than just finding a new dip for chips. It’s challenged me to look at all things that I thought I knew and see whether or not they’re true. Just because I grew up thinking something doesn’t mean it’s true.
It’s OK to challenge the status quo.
It’s OK to think new things.
It’s OK to change.
It’s OK to dare to eat guacamole.
Do you dare?
stephanie says
March 12, 2013 at 10:21 amim not a fan of them lol
Sam Dock says
March 12, 2013 at 11:26 amI used to stray away from quac too..it just looks weird. But I got talked into trying it and really thought it was alright 🙂
Darlene Jones-Nelson says
March 12, 2013 at 11:38 amI figure that if I don’t try new things what is that saying to my kids? They don’t usually want to try new thing either! But I love Guac. I guess it all depends on how its made! I get the avacado’s get the packages soice mix and I add Pico de guyo. Its good. My kids even like it and when they have others they say my mom’s is better.
Jo says
March 12, 2013 at 11:56 amLove Guac!!
Christine Mayfield says
March 12, 2013 at 1:33 pmI think it is so gross. I hadn’t had it in years almost 20 and then I went out with my friend and tried it (I ordered my food without it but they put it on my plate) and remembered why I don’t like it. Then I scooped it onto her plate.
Keely Hostetter says
March 12, 2013 at 1:38 pmWe love avacados and guac in our home. We eat them weekly. It’s fun when your kids are begging you for healthy food!
Cindy B says
March 12, 2013 at 1:49 pmHaha, I had a similar experience. I was at a Mexican restaurant and had ordered my dinner making sure to tell the server “no guacamole”. We even talked about how I didn’t like it at all. Then we ordered beverages. There was one on the menu that was a special house drink that didn’t give the ingredients and made a bet that you couldn’t guess what was in it. A couple of us, including myself, decided to try it. The server smiled and brought us the drinks. It was delicious and they were right, I wasn’t able to guess what was in it. Avocado! We all had a good laugh. I still don’t like eating plain avocado, but I love guacamole with chunky bits of tomato and onion. We make our own at home 🙂
MADDIE k. says
March 12, 2013 at 2:43 pmI LOVE avacados! They are creamy and have a mild buttery flavor to them. I use the really soft ones as a spread on my bread. I love them with a little bit of italian dressing, but my favorite way is just to eat them with a bit of salt and pepper.
Autumn says
March 12, 2013 at 5:26 pmOk, I don’t like guac either but my daughter and a guy at work tell me I HAVE to try avocados. So I bought some yesterday…they are in the fridge. Now to make myself try!
Julie Jones says
March 12, 2013 at 5:34 pmhaha. I had the same reservations about trying guacamole. I think I had it for the first time about two years ago when Wholly Guacamole became super popular. It’s so delicious! I would eat it more often but it’s so expensive!
Ari says
March 12, 2013 at 8:23 pmI’m very open to eating new things (unless I know they are meat); like I will try anything as long as it’s vegetable or plant derived. The only issue I have is eggs. I’ve tried many, many many times to eat eggs and enjoy them and I just simply can’t. I’ll eat baked goods so that the egg flavor is overwhelmed by other flavors (mainly chocolate), but eating omelettes, deviled eggs (which I think look yummy), scrambled, sunny-side-up,…I just can’t. Anyway, regarding this post, I like guacamole when it’s made the way I like it. The seasoning has to be right. I love, love, love fresh avocados though. Yum.
md kennedy says
March 13, 2013 at 9:01 amLiek you fo so many years I said I did not like avocados – and now, I’ll eat one plain sprinkled with a little salt and vinegar in a flash! I guess just like I didn’t like eggplant when I was young..
Maria Iemma says
March 13, 2013 at 9:41 amWe love avocados at our house. I peel them into slices and serve them with raw onions, olive oil and vinegar and they disapear in a flash. I never ate them as a child though, I guess they never offered it to me but I am sure to offer to my kids.
Paula V says
March 13, 2013 at 10:48 amI ate my first avocado 2-3 yrs ago. Love them.
Diana C says
March 13, 2013 at 2:07 pmI love guacamole. Its healthy and easy to make.
My mother likes eating avacados with a little salt as a treat.
Kathy Smith says
March 13, 2013 at 5:17 pmI would not eat guacamole either. And like you I would always say to quacamole please. My son got me to eat it one day and I just loved it.
Sandy says
March 13, 2013 at 11:19 pmI’ve never tried it but my sister loves it. I don’t know if I could do it!
Michael Lambert says
March 16, 2013 at 5:31 amI would like to try to find recipes my wife and I would like. I know they are so good for you and want to eat more of them.
Sylvia Ortiz says
March 16, 2013 at 10:18 amI love guacamole, I just wish I knew how to make it – just like the way they serve it in Mexican restaurants (spicy but not too hot!)
RANDY FULGHAM says
March 16, 2013 at 6:16 pmGUACAMOLE IS MY FAVORITE DIP AND ITS GOOD FOR YOU….
Stephanie Thompson (Free) says
March 16, 2013 at 11:39 pmI have been out to eat with so many people that don’t like guacamole just because of the color and looks of it. I think almost everyones taste changes as they get older, I use to hate cottage cheese but now I love it.
Mary Hill says
March 17, 2013 at 5:47 pmHi, it is great that you tried it. But I don’t like guacamole. Congrats on your bravery though.
tami s says
March 25, 2013 at 12:47 pmOh my gosh this is me and how I feel about guac but I have not yet tried it. You’ve inspired me to try it
Miriam says
April 1, 2013 at 3:05 pmYou can do it, Tami! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Jennifer Ali says
March 30, 2013 at 12:31 pmI’m not much of a fan!
Amy Baker says
April 1, 2013 at 2:48 pmOh this made me laugh out loud! being a Texan…guac has always been part of my life….but I had this EXACT same experience with hummus…..I always thought it looked like a bad baby diaper and it sicked me out….then on a whim at a party I made myself take a bite….now I’m a total hummus junkie and I make it at least once a week! Here’s to Daring! 🙂
Miriam says
April 1, 2013 at 3:05 pmI don’t think I’ve ever given hummus a fair shot either. I mean…it’s this weird beige color and is made with peas that aren’t even green. LOL! Maybe I will dare to try hummus next time I see it. 🙂
lisa says
April 6, 2013 at 12:55 pmHow funny! I have never tasted it either. Like you said green, mushy ugh! Now I have to re-think it.
Mary Mosier says
April 8, 2013 at 7:36 amI’m weird, I like guacamole 😀
Becky I. says
April 10, 2013 at 4:13 pmThis is a great story! Glad you like it, avocados are good for you. :>)
Debbie Rhoades says
May 15, 2013 at 2:14 pmI love avocados and guacamole! I have had adverse effects at times, from eating them, and for years, because of that, I thought I was allergic. My grown son made some guacamole a few months and I ate it and OMG it was so very very good. I have learned to eat eggplant, turnip greens and venison, also, since I became a grown-up.
Amy N. says
May 15, 2013 at 10:11 pmI am the EXACT same way about anything avocado related, and I too have never tried it! I’ll get around to it someday 😀
Cathy Milne says
May 17, 2013 at 6:09 amGuacamole? However did you wait 30-some years without loving it?/ Avocados are very good in salads, on sandwiches, and just by the spoon scooping out fresh. I dare you to try one or more of these ways to eat avocados. I am trying new things this spring/summer. We planted unusual veggies and I can’t wait to try them out!
Cathy the Bagg Lady
Raquel says
May 23, 2013 at 9:04 amI love guacamole 😀 but I don’t really LOVE avocados, I’m weird like that 😉
xx
ANN*H says
May 23, 2013 at 10:10 pmI have lived many years before I tasted an avocado or guacamole. I always thought I didnt like it so I did try it at a restaurant one time. It was okay I quess but not something I would eat all the time. I do like to try new foods tho.
Sandy Cain says
June 2, 2013 at 10:04 amIt’s funny – I used to hate guac, and avocados, in general. Something about the color and texture…. I don’t know what changed, but one day I suddenly had a craving for some good guac. Tried it, and been hooked ever since. Just goes to show, you never know!
Hailie J says
June 11, 2013 at 7:09 pmI try just about anything, lol. Even if I didn´t want to my husband would make me. He made me eat a smoked oyster while pregnant!
A good way to eat avocado is with sugar. I have this for breakfast about once a week. You squish up your avocado add your sugar and slap it on a tortilla or some toast. YUM! so good!
Megan says
June 16, 2013 at 11:24 amI love guac and I love avocados, but be prepared if you ever try a wedge of avocado with nothing on it it will taste very different than guacamole.
Rosie says
June 29, 2013 at 12:55 pmwhat a cute post! I’m chuckling and clapping for you! I can see how ppl would not want to even try guac, altho I like it. It can be hard to try something you’ve decided you don’t like! but I’m happy you did, since it is yummy (I think) and good for you!
Sarah L says
August 16, 2013 at 8:16 pmI was lucky growing up because our parents encouraged us to try all sorts of things including different foods. On the flip side, I kept trying scallops because I like all kinds of seafood. Finally I was out and my friend said: These are the best scallops I’ve ever had. I tried them, didn’t like them and stopped making myself keep trying.
Miriam Tirips says
August 17, 2013 at 7:47 pmLOL! Would you believe I had my very first scallop just a few months ago? After seeing everyone cook them on Top Chef, I figured I’d take the leap. I actually liked it too!
There are quite a few foods I’ve tried multiple times but ended up similar to what you experienced. There are just some foods I would rather not eat.
Mia says
August 16, 2013 at 8:49 pmI love guacamole! So glad you discovered how great it is too!
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger says
August 27, 2013 at 10:38 pmReading your wonderful post brought back a long forgotten memory of a rather painful experience time in my life when I went through a too long spell when I allowed peer pressure to impugn my love of avocados and exiled myself into an “avocado-free zone.”
This terrible time in my childhood came about because, well, kids can be cruel. After school everyday when we all (neighborhood kids) walked home we’d stop at this old fashioned grocery store and most kids would buy, candy bars or tortilla chips (then called “corn chips” or usually just “Fritos” (they should have just called them “sodium wafers” – but I digress.
Thanks to my healthy eating Mom, I’d skip the chips and candy and get me a green peppers (to eat like an apple – it’s actually very refreshing though not something that would tempt me today…) OR I would buy a nice ripe AVOCADO to snack on.
Now we all know there is really no neat or proper way to eat an avocado with your hands and so – naturally some of the yummy stuff got under my finger nails and a nasty little neighbor of mine started the rumor that the “green” stuff under my fingers was SNOT! SNOT. I was so mortified and desperate to not be thought of as a (nose) “picker” – that I pretty much gave up avocados until after high school (except when it had been magically turned into guacamole.
Those avocado-less years were dark days in my life and I urge all children to sample all kinds of foods without preconceptions bias. And don’t let anyone make you feel bad for liking something that is GOOD!
Kathleen says
September 29, 2013 at 5:28 pmWelcome to the guacamole eaters club! I LOVE guacamole! Actually I love avocado. It is great on sandwiches, salads, and just alone with a little salt. YUM!
Sarah L says
October 11, 2013 at 10:00 pmI’ll try most things at least once. I like avocados any which way. I tried scallops and tried them again and finally I was out to dinner and my friend said these are the BEST scallops I’ve ever had. I tried them. Nope, I really don’t like scallops and have never eaten them again.
Lisa G says
October 14, 2013 at 10:42 amI was just like you with foods now I try them and omg I like them!! My tastes must have changed because I like so many foods now that I wouldn’t even try. Have to try them to know if you like it. 🙂
Dina Lindquist says
October 14, 2013 at 3:26 pmI never ate guacamole or avocados as a kid. It’s a regular staple in my diet now. I love guac with almost everything now!
Charlene says
November 20, 2013 at 1:33 pmI didn’t eat guacamole for a really long time because I thought it was to spicy. Then one day I went to a Mexican restaurant with a friend and she ordered guacamole that was made at the table. To my surprise it was really good. So I guess the meaning behind all of this is when your put in a position to try something new, we should try it before saying we don’t like it.
md Kennedy says
November 20, 2013 at 7:45 pmI hated avocados when I was a kid and now I have to have them at least once a week, including as guacamole (and very spice guacamole at that!).
Edna Williams says
December 11, 2013 at 2:05 pmI am inspired to try guacamole after reading this!
Ashley says
April 28, 2014 at 8:11 pmPure avocado is great too. You can use it just like butter, only it’s 100% natural, and made of good fats!