Sushi Etiquette

Confession:

This is something I grapple with rather often and desperately need help with

Eating sushi and sashimi.

Let me explain, I absolutely adore sushi. Unadulterated seafood is, in my opinion, the shinning, culinary  pinnacle of our planet, a true gift from God. Dramatic I know, but a food so close to the earth and so simple is meant to be appreciated. (Vegetarians I love you all too )

But I have a problem, I cannot eat it without looking like, “an American tourist in Paris.” Take the above roll for example, this delectable veggie roll from Saturday’s lunch at Shaba Shabu filled with asparagus, avocado, shiitake, kale, carrot, and cucumber, was composed of pieces the size my palm!

As I attempted to lift them with my chopsticks, I did not even have to worry about the fact that there was no way I could fit a whole piece in my mouth, because my grip on it made if fall apart en route.

Problem number two revolves around my first choice at sushi restaurants, sashimi.

This heavenly assortment of squid and octopus from Sunday’s lunch at Waraji, was the best meal I have had in recent memory! So how did I manage to make a fool of myself? The same way I always do when eating sashimi.

Each piece is too large for a single bite, so I always end up pawing at it with my chopsticks until I decide to just bite the bullet, and rip it into smaller pieces with my fingers.

Since sushi is one of the top meals I eat with friends, you think I would have paid attention to how they avoid these faux pas, but apparently I am too absorbed in my own food to notice.

Teri from A Foodie Stays Fit shared a clutch article on sushi do’s and don’ts some of which I am certainly guilty of! So your turn, can anyone offer any suggestions so I stop offending diners and restaurateurs alike?

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Switching It Up

I am a morning exerciser, and I always will be. For one thing I like getting it over with and having the rest of the day ahead of me, for another, I am a much nicer person after working out, and then of course there is the fact that if I don’t workout first thing, it just aint gonna happen!

90 percent of the time that means working out before breakfast. On the weekdays this is just practical, on the weekends, it means running on an empty stomach which in turn, means limited stomach issues.

I woke up Sunday morning to foggy grey skies and chilly 26 degree temperatures. My mom and I had planned to run together, but I was a bad running buddy and decided breakfast sounded better.

A few hours later I did something I rarely do, and went for six miles at 9am. It felt…great! No stomach problems, and only limited motivation issues .

I am loving my (mom’s) Garmin! I was pleasantly surprised how close to my desired 9 minute/mile pace I was able to maintain,

• Mile 1: 9:25
• Mile 2: 9:00
• Mile 3: 8:45
• Mile 4: 8:56
• Mile 5: 8:47
• Mile 6: 9:09

The air was cool, the sun was shinning, and I felt wonderful! I rounded out my workout with a little blogilites core work, kettlebell work, and just because I could, stair mastering!

So here is to building a strong injury-resistant body, good sushi, and a great week!

Does anyone have anything exciting happening this week?

Please offer your sushi etiquette tips!

Is anyone racing anytime soon?

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