Get Your Fish On!

“Everyone is vegetarian now,” my friend Kathy said, “And you’re going to start eating meat?”

“Yes,” I said. “But just fish. It’s time.”

I’d read about all the benefits of consuming the omega 3s in fish oil. I was intrigued by the promises of better mood, memory, and yes, I admit it, healthier hair. 

Plus, I wanted to ensure that my growing daughter was getting the nutrients she needed. And I wanted to give her the option of eating fish, instead of taking supplements.

Culinary Chaos

The only problem was that I had been a dedicated vegetarian since the age of 14, and was not exactly savvy in the kitchen. I’ve blown up the whites of hard-boiled eggs. I’ve had to re-read the directions for making instant oatmeal. Just yesterday it took me two tries to make a grilled cheese sandwich—and I burnt the crust both times.

How was I going to learn how to shop for, prepare, and cook seafood and make sure it was edible and safe for my 10-year-old?

Adding fish back to my diet was easy and exciting—as long as I was at a restaurant. But now that I wanted to learn how to cook seafood at home, it was a little intimidating. I lie. It was daunting.

I liken it to learning how to drive on the highway. It’s not the hands on the wheel and foot on the gas that’s tricky, it’s following directions, switching lanes, and paying attention to the passenger all at the same time. It took me years of practice . . . I think it’s going to be a similar process to master seafood in the kitchen.

OK, so I may start with tuna fish casserole before serving homemade crab cakes, but I am going to learn. I will teach my daughter so she is relaxed and comfortable in the kitchen.

Luckily, I have a role model. My mother raised three children on spaghetti, macaroni salad, instant mashed potatoes, and Steak-umms (remember those?!).

But in midlife, Mom shifted gears and taught herself to cook gourmet meals. I can do the same.

I’m not going to let the fear of driving keep me from the open road or the fear of failing at fish dishes from the open stove! Join me in the adventure—and feel free to share your favorite recipes and tips!

Mind the Mercury

How much canned tuna can you safely eat? Learn how much mercury is in your favorite fish.

Use this mercury calculator to see if the amount of fish you’re eating is putting you above the safety zone!

About Christine “Cissy” White

After three decades as a dedicated lacto-ovo vegetarian, Christine "Cissy" White started eating fish. She enjoys blogging about family-friendly fish dishes, and how to shop for, prepare and cook healthy and affordable fish meals once a week with her 10-year old daughter, Kai. White has been published in Elephant Journal, Adoption Today and Literary Mama and blogs at www.guestinyourheart.wordpress.com