There's actually something to that "girly beer" phenomenon...

Popular Science and Inc Magazine, recently pointed out that over time, beer lovers get used to drinking more bitter beers because they are seeking out the hops flavor. So if you are like me and get pitying glances from "true beer snobs" for not appreciating the hoppy taste of a double IPA, do not despair, just realize that you haven't had enough to drink yet.

Unlike many of the "give-me-more-of-that" additives, humulones, the compound in hops that gives beer its bitterness, don’t affect the brain the same way as recognized, addictive compounds like caffeine or tobacco so it is not an addiction to hoppy beer but a sensory adaptation, when your perception of taste or smell dissipates over the course of exposure to the sensation.

This happens with all types of food and drink, and in part accounts for young finicky eaters who just haven't eaten enough bitter veggies to stomach them yet. Therefore if you are starting down the road of any new taste specialization (read spice, coffee, wine) know that it's going to take awhile for you to get used to a specific additive or ingredient . And once you do your interest and desire for it may increase and therefore you may seek out spicier curries, blacker, stronger coffees or bolder wines over time.

But also know that anyone who is a particular expert in a cuisine may be more used to their palate's level and based on the laws of habituation is actually tasting things differently than you are. So it's okay to start tamer - embrace your "girly" starter choices. You can explain you are working your way up to a deeper love of something.

You say "Potato"

Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, has just wrapped up his experiment of eating only potatoes for the last 60 days. Despite being hilarious and a clear PR stint for his organization -- the event is also a case study in the odd psychology behind single-food diet obsessions.

Whether its grapefruits or sardine and avocado sandwiches -- eating the same thing day after day establishes a rigorous pattern that inevitably deprives the body of some vitamins and calories and does occasionally result in weight-loss. Over short time frames, dieters see beneficial results often because of the cognitive impact of eating a certain food.

Cognitive psychology is based on the concept that the way you think affects how you feel and what you do. Cognitive therapy, then, helps you identify your self-defeating thinking and helps you respond to it so you can feel better and behave in helpful ways. However, long-term one-food diets are impractical and dangerous. While folks may get a good short term confidence boost from one-food wonders, the crash after the fact may leave you more despondent than before. Best to think positive about a more realistic diet and exercise regime. But cognitive theory to work on a plan that has more potential to remain sustainable.