I don't eat fish. Or seafood. If it lived in the water, I don't eat it. Except for the seaweed in (vegetarian) sushi. I wish I could eat fish, but I just can't.
It started when I was a kid. I used to eat tuna. Was never a huge fan, but it was fine. Then, one summer when my extended family was up in MI, my grandfather made me watch him skin (or whatever the proper term is) a couple of fishes. It was one of those moments where I didn't want to look, but I couldn't look away. 25+ years later, it's a sight that's burned into my retinas. It's also one of the reasons why I don't eat much meat in general.
However, to further compound that experience, later that same week we went to have a picnic on the dunes in that area of MI. Guess what mom packed for lunch. Tuna fish sandwiches. And, there was some kind of weird thing going on with the lake that had caused mass numbers of fish to die. They were all over the banks of the lake. So we got to smell that during our picnic. And that cemented it. No fish for me.
It's a smell thing, in large part. I see that dead, skinned fish image in my brain and immediately the dead fish smell comes back with it. And I start to gag. Happens every time anyone mentions that I should eat fish or I smell fish, seafood, anything that lived in the water. I logically understand that this aversion is in my brain. But I just can't overcome it.
I'm okay with this. Most of the time. However, when my 6yo berates me for not being willing to have a "hello bite" (a rule with all foods at our house), I feel rather chagrined. I mean, he has a point. But I just can't do it. (Seriously, just thinking about it right now has made me - involuntarily - shudder and crinkle up my nose in disgust.) And then I quickly change the topic. You know, the whole "look it's a squirrl" tactic. It works well with my kid. And I then I tell him to take a hello bite of whatever is on his plate. And eat his stinky fish.
Today's Lesson: Sometimes Momma is a big ole hypocrite. And she's - mostly - okay with that.
6 comments:
Dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, parrots - who do you prefer? Or perchance what that non-native animals - snakes, crocodiles, lizards, monkeys?
I'm with you. I HATE fish. My Mom used to make me try it once a year "to see if I changed my mind." I love being an adult, because I don't have to try it ever again! Blech.
Totally with you on this one! I hate fish for the smell and texture. Ive tried several types and still can not get myself to like it at all. I worry that when our babe is old enough we will have this same situation!
I love fish! Especially Salmon and it really stinks when it is cooking but its so good after that. I understand what you mean about being grossed out though. My husband is from Louisiana. He really introduced me to seafood. Before I met him I ate fried unidentifiable fish. Anyway he had me try a "hello bite" of crawfish. By the time I followed his lead taking the head off and cleaning off some gunk in order to get to the part I could eat, I didn't want it. YUCK!
So, I dont mind fish (as long as its on my plate skinned and positivly deboned...) but I had a thought for you. When I was teaching dance I had a "I Cant" Rule. If a student said "I cant" they had to do 5 pushups. I would rather they say "Im having trouble" Or "Im having difficulty" - The Little Engine That Could certainly never said "I think I cant"...and it became a fun and friendly reminder in my class about positivity.
I was a big proponant of doing with my class. If they were stretching so was I, if they were jumping, so was I. EXCEPT the splits. I physically cannot do them. When they would challenge me on it I would say that I was old enough and had practiced enough to know that I could NOT do them and I had earned the right to not do them. They all would agree and leave it alone.
You are the mama, you have great experience behind you to be able to say no to that Hello bite. (Although, I get it he does have a point - so do you!)
I am so with you on the fish, seafood, generally anything from the water feelings. I have a hard time eating meat in general too! Mine is also in my head but dang that is so hard to get over when it has been in your head all your life.
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