New tastes

On Sunday night, I did something I have never done before. I cooked fish. In fact, I had not eaten fish in almost 30 years before that night. When I was about 3 or so, I was chowing down on fish and chips. Later that evening, I was struck down with what I think was food poisoning (although my mother insists it was just the stomach flu) and I have not eaten fish or french fries since then.

Things changed on Friday night--I received the lab test back from my annual physical and I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. Now, to be fair, this is all my parents' fault. Other than the lack of fish, I did have a very healthy diet until then. So, it must be genetic--hence, it's all their fault.

Anyway, along with a presciption that has a description including "Please remember that your doctor prescribed this medication to you because the benefits outweigh the side effects," I was given a detailed nutritional plan to follow FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Number 1: No pizza. Frankly, this one will be broken every now and then. You see, this is my very favorite food in the entire world. Thanks to a brother in the pizza business, I grew up on the stuff and now I can't have it? Yeah, I think not.

Number 2: Fish at least 3 times a week. WHAAAAATT?????? Seriously, this is not funny! So, I whined about it for a while--called my mother and blamed her for everything (she in turn said that the guberif was just as much to blame considering he'll be 68 in a few months and has never had his cholesterol checked!)

But, in the end, my health is very important to me and I'm willing to have pizza once every 6 or so months and eat fish if that's what it takes. Sunday evening, I made salmon.

I think I overcooked it--having not had fish in 30 years doesn't give me the required education on how to cook fish or even how to tell if it's "done." Tonight I had cod...same story, although the garnish was quite tasty.

I still don't like fish, but I'm giving it the old college try. And I know my mother is gloating right now.