It’s the final day of February, which means it’s the last day of my 30 Healthiest Foods Challenge. For the most part, incorporating these foods into my diet really wasn’t that difficult. I already enjoy most of them, but there were a couple that I just didn’t jump for joy about and waited until the last day to eat: lentils and sardines.
I like lentils, so planning them into my menu for the day was easy: I’m making Winter Lentil Soup for dinner tonight. (The last time I made Winter Lentil Soup, I loved it, but I ate it for days and days and days, so I plan to make a much smaller batch today.)
The sardines were a lot more difficult to plan into my diet. Canned sardines, in particular, really bug me out– mostly because of the way they look– so I opted for fresh ones from the Whole Foods fish counter. I ended up buying a few sardines fillets (with their heads cut off), which were marinated in basil-flavored oil.
See, they’re not so scary.
I added the sardine fillets to a salad with leftover roasted veggies and greens. (That big black orb is a roasted onion. It sort of looks gross, huh? Sorry about that. )
I’m not going to lie and tell you that I like sardines now, but they were a lot better than expected. The fillets were butterflied and the heads were removed, so they didn’t look gross and weird like the canned kind. The basil flavor also helped cut the super strong fishiness.
To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll ever buy sardines again, but I’m glad that I gave them a fair chance. I also not as afraid of them now. So, for instance, if they were in a recipe or a dish at a restaurant, I wouldn’t completely avoid them like I have in the the past.
Are there any foods that you are ”˜afraid’ to eat? If given the chance, would you try them?
Back on My Feet
Remember when I went to the Boston chapter’s launch of Back on My Feet (BOMF)? Well, since last May, Back on My Feet has grown by leaps and bounds in Boston!
After a strong start with three initial teams (Boston Rescue Mission, Hope House and St. Francis House), BOMF expanded to Father Bill’s Place in Quincy as well as the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. Now, with five thriving teams, BOMF is extending it’s reach across the river to Somerville. On March 14, they will officially launch the chapter’s sixth team with the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
If you’re interested in joining a BOMF team, you can find out more here! It’s such an amazing organization and they have chapters in other areas of the country too. I’m seriously considering joining a team now that BOMF has expanded to my area!
73 Comments
Good for you for tryign the sardines. I don’t know if I could have done it…something about them, I just can’t seem to stomach! And good work on getting all of the foods in this month as well! 🙂
I just cant do sardines– no matter how hard I try, lol!
Yes, I am afraid of sardines. I’ve had a can of them from Trader Joe’s sitting in my pantry for a few months now. Now that you’ve done it, just maybe I’ll have enough confidence. Also, on my list of disgusting foods: anchovies. I’m fearful. And, homegrown kefir used to be on the list until my boyfriend grew it and made me try it.
i’ve loved canned sardines since I was a kid (thanks to my grandfather!) i’ve never bought the canned kind with the heads on! give it a try…they’re amazing on saltine crackers.
I don’t think I could ever eat anything that was still alive. Other than that, I’d like to think I’ll try any food at least once 🙂
Whenever I eat out and see organ meats and sweet breads on the menu I get weirded out and stay away, even when others like my fiance go for it!
You’re so brave! I cannot bring myself to try sardines… they seriously creep me out! 😛
I’m afraid of organ meats!
I agree with the sardines – mum loves them with tomato sauce and rice but they just don’t look that appetising, so well done on giving them a go! I ate gherkins a few years back, and it wasn’t a pretty sight, my body (or tastebuds) just rejected them… so I would be a bit hesitant to try them again 😛
I’ve considered trying Sardines on many occasions but just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. It’s something about the fact that you eat the bones… I know they are tiny but still! Kudos to you for giving it a shot and I think choosing the ones with the basil flavor was a great choice!
you’re brave to eat sardines!
I haven’t eaten eggs since this summer (besides in baked goods) and now am sort of weirded out by them…hopefully that passes soon because farmers’ market eggs are coming soon…and they’re so good!
I love sardines! Though at the moment I’m eating more canned mackeral and smoking herrings. Fishy fish is the best 🙂
I bought a can of sardines recently after hearing about how healthy they are for you on several blogs, but I have yet to try them! Maybe tomorrow. I’m thinking of making a sardine-salad sandwich.
I love sardines!! 😀
You are definitely braver than me – I don’t think I could ever eat sardines!!!
Any meat completely grosses me out. So I’m not trying any of the kinds I haven’t yet. The taste and texture disgusts me!
Hahaha, greeeeat. I bought a can of sardines thinking I’d try them, but NEVER thought of the fact that they might be whole fish in a can. Crap. Now I’m afraid to open the tin =/
When we were in a small restaurant in Belgium many years ago I was encouraged by a local to order a “portion of sardines”. Wow. The were teeny teeny whole fish fried very crispy. Ate them like french fries. Canned ones never. I did order them again at another restaurant and the fish were bigger and not as crispy. But that one meal is a yummy memory for me.
I was waiting to see you try sardines since my husband eats the canned ones all the time and they kind of make me gag! If you’re ever in Spain, try sardines there. They’re fresh, perfectly seasoned and often fried crispy–that’s the only way I was on board:-)