High Sierra Topix

We took our two grandkids, age 3 and 5 camping last year. They both eat fish at home. They watched Grandpa catch the fish, touched the fish eyes! Then I cooked the fish and they would not eat it. They will eat fish from the market, but not the SAME fish they saw swimming around a few hours ago. Most kids nowadays do not realize the meat they eat was a live animal at some time.

Our son had a similar reaction when he caught his first fish in upper Virginia Canyon at age 5. He was overjoyed at catching the fish and very proud of himself. It was big enough for him to have for dinner so we didn't throw it back in the creek. He posed for a photo with a big smile holding up the fish. When it came to me killing and gutting the fish, he was horrified. I will never forget him plaintively saying, "It's so beautiful," as he stared at it lying dead on a rock. Since we could have a fire, it was cooked to near perfection. He was willing to take a couple of bites at dinner, but my wife and I ate the rest.

LMBSGV wrote:Our son had a similar reaction when he caught his first fish in upper Virginia Canyon at age 5. He was overjoyed at catching the fish and very proud of himself. It was big enough for him to have for dinner so we didn't throw it back in the creek. He posed for a photo with a big smile holding up the fish. When it came to me killing and gutting the fish, he was horrified. I will never forget him plaintively saying, "It's so beautiful," as he stared at it lying dead on a rock. Since we could have a fire, it was cooked to near perfection. He was willing to take a couple of bites at dinner, but my wife and I ate the rest.

Nice. I wonder how or when we turn that "corner." As far as I know it didn't cross my mind why we were catching fish. It was to eat. same with all meat products i guess.

Yeah I'm hoping getting her to try fresh over store bought will help. I know she liked scallops I made one time, but she couldn't do the crab or shrimp.

InsaneBoost wrote:Yeah I'm hoping getting her to try fresh over store bought will help. I know she liked scallops I made one time, but she couldn't do the crab or shrimp.

none of which are found in the Sierra. I'd go right back to MIke (OR)'s response. cook the fish like he said, place it next to the mac n' cheese and let them sample. it'll evidently take time. She'll either embrace and enjoy it, or she'll show up in Petaluma protesting meat processing.

Good either way. Make your statement and live it.

Kathy and I just returned from a car camping trip and it reminded me of something that is great fun for kids of all ages. Since we are often out of range of freezers, instead of ice-cream we will take a bunch of fresh strawberries and a can or two of whipped cream. Put the berries on a plate or tray then spray some whipped cream on the end then bite. Then spray a little more whipped cream on the berry and bite that. Then when all the berries are gone. spray the whipped cream into your mouth and the kids can do it to them selves. Just because we are old doesn't mean we have to grow up. I guess you probably have to make clear that this kind of eating is only for special occasions, like campouts. It is a change from marshmallows and summores. (not to knock them).

But the promise of special deserts can provide an incentive to try something new in the main course.

Mike