Commentary
Growing up in West Texas, I was not familiar with fresh fish from the grocery store. Back then, stores did not even carry the flash-frozen fish that is common now.
My diet consisted mainly of beef, and I had very little exposure to other types of food. As I transitioned into adulthood, cooking fish was a foreign concept to me, and I rarely ate it due to my lack of familiarity with the taste.
Occasionally, my family would go fishing in freshwater lakes when I was a boy. We would catch fish, bread them with cornmeal, and fry them in hot oil. However, this experience felt more like camping than a regular meal to me. Eating fish was not a common occurrence in my life, especially considering we also ate snakes that my father hunted. It was all about survival.
Years later, during a boat trip in the Aegean Sea, I had a transformative experience with fish. The crew caught fresh fish, grilled it, and served it to me. It was a pivotal moment that made me realize the abundance of food that surrounds us in the form of seafood.
This revelation took me back to my religious teachings about the oceans being filled with fish for sustenance. It made me appreciate the simplicity of obtaining food from nature’s resources.
Living in an area with access to fresh fish now, I am constantly amazed by the variety available. From snapper to shark, the display of fish at the market reminds me of the natural bounty we can enjoy.
While experimenting with different types of fish, I learned that some are easier to handle than others. Despite a mishap with preparing stingray, I stuck to more familiar varieties thereafter.
Hosting a fresh fish dinner party may be appealing, but many Americans are accustomed to processed and packaged food. Breaking away from this trend requires a shift towards whole foods and genuine health, which can be challenging due to our addiction to processed foods.
Cooking a whole fish may seem intimidating to some, but in reality, it is a simple process. By following basic steps like seasoning and baking, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal without much effort.
Transitioning to whole foods can be a transformative experience that resets your palate and preferences. It may be daunting at first, but the benefits of consuming real, unprocessed food are worth the initial adjustment period.
Embracing whole fish as a staple in your diet can be a step towards a healthier lifestyle and a return to natural, unadulterated food choices. It may require a shift in mindset and habits, but the rewards are invaluable in the long run.
There is a certain excitement in presenting a dish on a plate all by itself, with no distractions. It’s like discovering your true identity, both biologically and anthropologically.
Unfortunately, most dinner guests may not appreciate such a simple pleasure.
The customers who frequent my fishmonger shop the most are usually immigrants or individuals trying to hold onto their cultural roots and family traditions. They come from various parts of the world, but rarely from the United States. This observation speaks volumes about the declining health situation in our country, which has been deteriorating for quite some time.
The unexpected alliance between MAGA and MAHA is a remarkable development in our current political climate, as these groups were previously seen as polar opposites.
It has become increasingly apparent that the same entities responsible for excessive taxation and regulation of businesses have also contributed to the degradation of our food and medicine supply. This realization has led to a shift in mindset, prompting individuals like myself to question the impact of chemical additives and pesticides on our health and well-being.
A significant cultural transformation has taken place in recent months, as various movements advocating for food freedom, health freedom, constitutional rights, religious freedom, free speech, and free enterprise have joined forces. This newfound unity underscores the importance of preserving individual freedoms and rebuilding society based on these principles.
Ultimately, the choices we make in our daily lives reflect our commitment to these ideals. If you share my passion for real food, I invite you to join me in celebrating the simplicity of a freshly caught fish cooked over an open flame and served on a plate in its natural form.
*Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily align with the views of The Epoch Times.*
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