Are you gutsy? Really? Time to prove it! Get ready for a food challenge, inspired by my recent trip to China.

On my trip, I made a commitment to myself that I would open my mind to whatever food that was put on my plate. Generally, I am not a fussy eater, but I can get squeamish about what some people consider food. I watch the Food Network and love it but, still, I am often amazed at the crazy things that get served at family tables worldwide.

To start the ball rolling, I’ve made a list of all the things I tried (and YES, enjoyed!) while I was visiting in China last week. These are food items that I had never eaten before. Most, I would eat again. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to add to this list of the adventurous things you’ve tried. It’s a soul stretching experience and you have the chance to play along!

• Soft shell turtle
• Salted goose head (w/beak attached)
• Abalone
• Sea urchin
• Chicken feet
• Duck palms (the webbing between their feet)
• Duck innards soup (heart, liver, gizzard, and intestines)
• Sea cucumber
• Bitter melon
• Pigeon (displayed full bodied, with head and feet included on the plate)
• Chicken tongue
• Eel (the little bones surprised me)
• Pig stomach lining
• Pig tail (yes, the curly little tail you see on piggies)
• Pig feet
• Fish terrine (remember those jello molds at picnics? Add fish)
• Fish roe
• Jelly fish (it’s grisly and glutenous)

I am sure I am missing a few, but this is a start. Now it’s your turn – share your growth experience about yourself that you learned through food. Risky and scary is good – eating it anyway is better! And, extra gold star if you were able to move past your fears and enjoyed it past your prejudice. Bon Appetit!