30 Thankful Days in Photos: Day 29

Jer was happy to help me out with my post today when I told him what it would be about.
Today I am thankful for turkey and chicken!
I don't eat beef (or any red meat) or pork. I haven't eaten these things for 15 years. It started when I got sick as a teenager and found out the hard way that every time I ate beef or pork I would get sick. Not just nauseated, but very ill. I've ended up in the hospital after being served pork even though I told the waitress I couldn't tolerate it.
The meat in my diet consists of poultry and seafood (I LOVE shrimp!). People who are new to learning this about me ask me if I crave a hamburger or steak or other such grossness. I never crave these things. I think all kinds of beef look gross, and I can't stand the smell of it cooking. It smells like rotton meat. Pork, on the other hand, sometimes looks good. I just can't eat it.
Instead, I eat turkey or chicken alternatives. They are almost always healthier, less greasy, and does not sacrifice taste. Just to give an idea, here are some things that can be found in turkey or chicken form: hot dogs, burgers, bacon, ham, steak, jerky, chili, ground meat, pepperoni, roast, bologna and other lunch meat... The list goes on and on. I can make almost any recipe and use chicken or turkey products instead of beef and pork. My diet is not limited like people might think at first.
My diet is limited, however, when we go out to eat. I must make sure what I'm ordering is edible. Germans eat a lot of pork. I mean, a LOT! They eat more pork than any other meat, I think. Beef is a close second. I have learned to read the German menus and even ask if they serve a chicken alternative. This is how I found out that I love Putenschnitzel (turkey schnitzel)! My other favorite food in Germany: döner kebap. It is most common in Germany to have pork or lamb döner, but because of the high military influence in this area, many restaurants cater to the American palat and most serve a combo of chicken and turkey.
Tonight we went out to eat at my favorite döner kebap restaurant. I love the owner. He recognizes me when I come in. He will always speak German to me at a pace I can keep up with. Tonight we were really lucky to be the sole customers: it's really dark, rainy, and cold--I'm sure that's why nobody else was there. I explained in German that I do a blog post and I would like to take pictures of his food and restaurant because it is unique. (It also serves turkey/chicken döner). It's not commonly found in the States. He obliged. Such a nice guy! We had more conversation about where I'm from in the US, and how the city there is. I will definitely be taking my sisters here when they come for Christmas!
Because of my diet, I was a little worried about moving here. I didn't know how well the commissary would be stocked with the meats I like to use. And I had a feeling, which turned out to be correct, that I wouldn't be able to find such items in a German market. But the only thing I haven't been able to find here is turkey ham.
So, today I'm not only thankful for chicken and turkey, but I'm also thankful that because I can't digest beef or pork, I eat leaner meats. I feel healthier for that.