I am the daughter of a Longshoreman and avid fisherman. When I was young, I did not realize how fortunate I was to have a dad that hunted and fished for our food. On weekends, dad would take my brother and me in our Ford station wagon with fake wood paneling for a drive to the hills of Marin County to pick wild mushrooms, Tomales Bay for oysters, and the creeks near Point Montara Lighthouse for watercress, abalone, and eels.
Oftentimes, he would take me deep sea fishing to catch salmon or sea bass. We had to leave the house at 5:00 a.m. in the morning to get a place on the boat that left from the small fishing village of Crockett under the Carquinez Bridge. Even though I always turned green on those trips, I was determined to make it through without getting sick, because I did not want to miss out on an opportunity to be with my father. However, halfway through the fishing trip and miles away from land, I remember always dreading my decision as I hurled my insides over the side of the wooden boat that smelled of dried up bait. To this day, I still have a fondness for orange soda, saltines, and red licorice – dad’s remedy for those long boat rides and pretty much any other time I was sick …. and it worked!
When Dr. Simeons research on the HCG Weight Loss Program was introduced, the foods that were allowed while on the diet included various fish and seafood, which are either endangered or not suitable for consumption today. I frequently check the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website and talk with local fishermen regarding what is being caught in abundance. Also, I am not a fan of farm raised seafood and will always choose wild over raised fish. Another thing, when you go to your local grocery store, don’t be embarrassed to ask your butcher where the fish and other seafood are being caught and if the fish is wild or farmed. Many times, I have found that the seafood is not properly labeled, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Friday morning, Frank woke up with a cracked tooth, and our dentist’s office is nearly three hours away. We used it as an opportunity to get out of Marin for the day and went for a drive down South. The news of the tsunami that hit Japan reached the West coast, and we saw our tax dollars being put to work as police cars, the fire department, and other roadblocks were set in place to keep people away from the beaches. We were forced to make a few detours on our way to the dentist office, but finally arrived in time. The visit was short, and we headed for the Monterey coast to our favorite restaurant, the Sandbar and Grill, before heading home.
By early afternoon the beaches were still closed, however, the pier, which extended out to the Monterey Bay, was opened. We come here often and know what is on the menu. Most of the menu is not allowed on the HCG diet, but it can be easily converted over. Eating out while on the HCG Diet is challenging but very doable. I ordered a salad with fresh cracked crab on top and no dressing. There were bits of carrot for color, but they were too small of an amount to be concerned about.
We had a great seat overlooking the boats in the harbor. Coffee came with a red and white pinwheel mint, which I unraveled and put in my mouth without hesitation. It was a small treat for having lost 10 pounds on the HCG Diet so far. I am exactly half way to my goal weight.
As we left the restaurant, the sound of the barking seals in the distance led us to the water. From the pier, we enjoyed watching a playful sea otter floating on its back that turned out to be camera shy. The pier was filled with fishermen and fisherwomen and children that frequented the local fishing spot. I felt completely connected to them, an echo of my youth reminding me that some things are worth hanging onto and the importance of preserving these rituals and gifts.
At the end of the pier, we found two local fish markets. Frank and I ventured into the Monterey Fish Company and talked with the merchants/fishermen. All of their fish was locally caught on the California coast, including clams, mussels, squid, prawns, and crab.
Crab, shrimp, and fillet of sole is on the HCG Diet, and we bought some to bring home for the family.
In my upcoming book on HCG weight loss menus, I have revise the list of allowable foods in Phase II and III of the HCG diet to be in alignment with today’s healthy and sustainable choices. Meanwhile, you can download your own Seafood Watch Pocket Guide for your specific region at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx.
Barbara Bonardi
A Shot At Weight Loss 