It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I think there are things we learn to prefer, like the white meat, even unintentionally. I wish I could eat dark now, but after only eating the driest white chicken or turkey breast since about the age of 12, I can't even look at marbled or tender meats, like prime rib (I actually can't even THINK about prime rib). 

Veggies are the other thing. Used to hate most, until I lived on them for years, and now just crave them for the crunch. Spinach too - I can eat it raw now for salad, but can't deal with it cooked into something with creaminess and all soft and wet. And earthy brown breads over wonder type white. I think we eat something long enough, and a dislike becomes set as the only edible choice.

Now if I could just figure out how to reset my love of chocolate and coffee.

Most preferences are learned though. It's not like we come out of the womb knowing we like our steak rare or well done.

They are still preferences and I still honor mine. The only thing I would tell people who have had a disordered relationship with food (like most of us at one point or another) is to really examine your preferences to make sure they are yours and not society's.

You're right about the veggies. I have yet to find a single vegetable I actually like plain, but I spent years trying to force myself to eat them that way in the name of dieting. I have an office mate who eats salads without any kind of dressing, which I've tried to do, but even just plain lettuce literally makes me gag  :(

I eat my salad without dressing of any kind---but it must have LOTS of tomatoes in it.

I drizzle a little on to make it moister so things stick to my fork better, but that's it.

I'm not big on creamy sauces anyway. I like sauces that have more a sharp flavor like anything made with any kind of mustard (regular, Chinese, wasabi) and aren't too thick.

Of course everyone once in a while I just have to have something like mac 'n cheese but it's kind of like bacon... I have to be in the mood and the mood generally only strikes once or twice a year.

I'm not a greasy/salty/crispy person. I'm a sweet person. Veggies are sweet so I want to taste them.

See, I find most veggies to be more bitter than sweet. Even when I've been low-carbing well, and my tastes have changed so that I enjoy things like very dark chocolate, and regular sweet things taste TOO sweet to me, I still don't care for veggies. Fruit, on the other hand...  :P

I think people who truly like veggies, especially plain, are very fortunate!

 Ever read about supertasters? Veggies tasting bitter is often a first indication that someone has this.

Never heard of supertasters before, but based on my 20 seconds of Googling, I don't think it's my issue  :P

"Supertasters tend to find highly fatty and sugary foods less palatable than non-tasters. As a result, supertasters tend to weigh less."

Tomatoes is another one of those things I really wish I liked, but I just can't do them! I think it's actually more of a texture issue because I do like tomato soup, tomato sauce, etc.

Do you have a recipe for the mashed cauliflower?  Or do you just play it by ear?  It sounds so good.