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December 18, 2013

With love for Sardines (and our adorable cat)

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I’ve written about this before, but, I think it’s about time I gross you guys out again. I’m just going to say it: I love sardines.

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But there’s more to sardines than just grossing out anyone else who is dining with you (though I often eat them for lunch just so I don’t have Matt gagging next to me) – they are also nutritional superstars! Sardines are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium (because of the tiny edible bones in the fish – another fun fact to gross people out with). They also contain B vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese – and they’re super cheap AND shelf stable. Total win, right? What are you waiting for – eat up!

I recommend buying sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. For this lunch, I simply mashed them with a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper, threw the mixture on top of a toasted Ezekiel english muffin – et voila! Lunch is served. Sardines are also great mixed with a little dijon mustard.

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On the side, I enjoyed a big beet and goat cheese salad with some chopped green pepper and parsley and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette on top. I never want to deal with the mess that involves roasting beets, but I love them, so I just buy them canned. They taste just as good, actually!

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Funny story: when I opened the can of sardines, I felt something behind me, and turned around and saw this:

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Zara was like: “Mom, why are you eating my food?!” Lol.

Speaking of little miss Zara, for those who have asked – she’s doing really well! 🙂 When we got her from the shelter (the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, who I highly recommend) a couple weeks ago she had just gotten spayed the day before so she was pretty tired. Then she got a bad cold which knocked her out for awhile too. I’m happy to report that she’s now all better, though! She’s been a lot more playful and energetic which is fun, but she’s still sweet and likes sitting with on us on the couch, too, and always sleeps on the floor near me when I’m working. Her favorite game is chasing us around our apartment when we drag her little string toy behind us. She’s FAST – it’s a pretty good workout for all of us! And when she catches it, she puts it in her mouth and “walks” us over to another area of the apartment before dropping it. Too cute! I posted a little video of it over on my Instagram if you want to see. 🙂

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What a cutie. She’s also very smart – she already figured out how to open the cabinet where we keep her food, just like her cousin Amos! I have a feeling she will be keeping us on our toes… ;) 

And now – back to work. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Are you a sardine fan?

- anne
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50 comments
  • Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
    December 18, 2013 · 9:58AM:
    I know sardines are super healthy but I don't think I could ever bring myself to eat them. They creep me out. Zara is so adorable, I'm so glad you're loving your little kitty!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:07AM:
      Give them a shot! :) I think they taste good!
      Reply
  • Jackie
    December 18, 2013 · 9:58AM:
    I've never had sardines before! Zara is so cute!
    Reply
  • FitYaf
    December 18, 2013 · 10:02AM:
    I LOVE sardines, but rarely get to eat them because I'm afraid to bother other people with the smell!
    Reply
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
    December 18, 2013 · 10:28AM:
    Anne you are not alone! Sardines are one of my all time favorite foods :) I am planning on having then today for dinner ;)
    Reply
  • Anel December 18, 2013 · 10:33AM:
    Last time I had sardines, I was pretty young. I would be willing to give them a try with some salt and lime juice, though. Zara is soooo cute!!
    Reply
  • Victoria
    December 18, 2013 · 10:40AM:
    ZOMG KITTY
    Reply
  • Jenny December 18, 2013 · 10:43AM:
    We got our kitty from AWLA a couple years ago and we loooooove him. :) Zara is super cute! I agree that AWLA is a great place to adopt a pet.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:52AM:
      They even called yesterday to check on her and make sure we had taken her to the vet for her check in. I was so impressed!
      Reply
  • Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac
    December 18, 2013 · 10:44AM:
    I wish I could get myself to eat sardines! I can't even eat canned tuna because I used to have to make the tuna salad when I worked at a sub shop when I was 14. Squeezing the water out of an economy sized can of tuna did me in with canned fish!! Maybe someday I'll be able to move past my aversion - I love fresh fish (even tuna!!).
    Reply
    • Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac
      December 18, 2013 · 10:45AM:
      I forgot to mention -- Zara is too cute!!
      Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:51AM:
      Ewww I would probably have an aversion to it if I had to do that, too!
      Reply
  • Carrie December 18, 2013 · 10:48AM:
    I love sardines! I make a delicious, extremely simple pasta with them from Mark Bittman - try it!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:51AM:
      Ooo recipe?
      Reply
      • Carrie December 18, 2013 · 10:55AM:
        Yes! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/dining/31minirex.html?adxnnl=1&ref=dining&adxnnlx=1387382036-K1yHb49CL0Nq2XHh9TESSg Capers are crucial, but I've done it without breadcrumbs and it's still awesome. I also usually add some wine at some point. Enjoy!
        Reply
        • Anne
          December 18, 2013 · 11:11AM:
          Yum, maybe with that recipe I could even convince Matt to try them... ;)
          Reply
  • mary @ minutes per mile
    December 18, 2013 · 10:48AM:
    I would also like to give a shout out to anchovies -- possibly even MORE gross, and also delicious! ;)
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:51AM:
      Well played, Mary. ;)
      Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 10:53AM:
      Anchovy pizza party when you're back? ;)
      Reply
  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change
    December 18, 2013 · 10:53AM:
    I love sardines. I try to eat them at least once a week. I love them plain but I also love them with some GF crackers. I have been putting them on my salads as well instead of chicken or tuna and really loving the crisp greens flavor with the salty flavor of the sardines! Thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
    December 18, 2013 · 11:11AM:
    Sardines just aren't my thing but the nutritional stats are amazing!
    Reply
  • Kristen @ Medium Roast
    December 18, 2013 · 11:45AM:
    I'm definitely a sardine cheerleader. They are a fantastic alternative to tuna. And Zara is so fluffy and adorable! My cat has learned what the can opener is for and now chases me around the kitchen at any sign of it.
    Reply
  • Jo Lynn December 18, 2013 · 12:01PM:
    Love the photo of Zara looking up at you! My cat also "assumes the position" at meal time and, for good measure, raises one of her front paws like a supplicant pleading to be fed. Too funny! BTW--Are you familiar with the "Simon's Cat" series on YouTube? Each cartoon is a cute snapshot of life with a furry friend. I linked two of my faves below. Hope you enjoy! Let Me In: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rb8aOzy9t4 Cat Man Do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 2:59PM:
      I'm not familiar - will check out those videos! Fun!
      Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 3:04PM:
      Following up to say... those had me laughing out loud! So cute. And SO true!
      Reply
      • Jo Lynn December 18, 2013 · 3:43PM:
        Yes, I can relate to all of them. If you get a chance, check out "The Suitcase" and "The Box." Been there x 2.
        Reply
  • Rachel December 18, 2013 · 1:45PM:
    So cool to see a fellow sardine lover! When I was younger, my dad used to do the Twin Cities Marathon every year and King Oscar was always at the race expo handing out free samples. We would grab handfulls and stock up for the year. Little did I know, most people have a strong aversion to them while we were raised to love them. Yummy :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 2:59PM:
      That's awesome!
      Reply
  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
    December 18, 2013 · 2:02PM:
    I've never tried sardines but I can't get over the LOOK. If someone prepared them for me where they were already pre-mashed and it looked like tuna salad, I'd probably be just fine.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 2:58PM:
      Yeah, it is a little creepy :)
      Reply
  • Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run.
    December 18, 2013 · 3:59PM:
    Oh yeah...our cats would be doing the same thing if we ever let those nasty little tins into the house. LOL Can you tell I don't like any sort of fish? :) Our cats have also become "dinner stalkers". They're really good about it. They both just sit next to each other, in between us at the dinner table and stare up at us. They never meow or paw at us. What's funniest is that we really don't feed them people food. They just love FOOD so much they're willing to beg for anything.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 4:41PM:
      Too funny. Zara hasn't done any dinner stalking yet... but I'm sure it's coming. :)
      Reply
  • fran December 18, 2013 · 4:40PM:
    I just tried sardines for the first time a few weeks ago. I was really hoping I would like them since I have osteoporosis and knew the extra calcium would be really good for me. They are really very good. I've had them twice now and bought two more cans. Now I'm definitely looking for more recipes with sardines! Thanks for your post!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 18, 2013 · 4:41PM:
      Glad to hear you're a fan!: )
      Reply
  • fran December 18, 2013 · 4:41PM:
    P.S. I think Zara is adorable. My cat died two years ago-she was 15 years old and had feline aids. I miss her so much!
    Reply
  • Amy December 18, 2013 · 5:03PM:
    I don't understand the lure of sardines- you definitely don't need to eat something's BONES to get calcium- agh! No thank you!
    Reply
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
    December 18, 2013 · 6:00PM:
    Your cat is way too cute! I can't do sardines as I overthink the bones in them.
    Reply
  • Roadrunner December 18, 2013 · 8:52PM:
    Zara is the ticket. She is way too cute! And, yes, sardines are great!
    Reply
  • Caroline
    December 18, 2013 · 8:54PM:
    GAG. Ugh- I just can't do fish. I really really want to like it, but pretty much my entire life I've really disliked it. Even when I sit at a table with someone else eating fish my stomach flip flops and I can hardly get my own food down. Maybe one day...
    Reply
  • Becky @ Life Outside The BOX
    December 19, 2013 · 8:19AM:
    Oh gosh, I don't know if I could stomach down sardines, but more power to ay girl! I'll stick to taking my fish oil :)
    Reply
  • Katie R December 20, 2013 · 9:42AM:
    I love sardines too! That lunch looked delicious. My two cats get excited when I open a can, cause they know I'm a softie and will give them a taste.
    Reply
  • Greg December 20, 2013 · 3:09PM:
    I love this recipe from Food Network's Alton Brown: http://bit.ly/1fMipHK It's basically sardines & avocados with a sherry dressing (made with the sardine oil) on sourdough toast. Yum!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 20, 2013 · 3:46PM:
      Sounds awesome. Thanks!
      Reply
  • Renie December 25, 2013 · 7:28AM:
    I have always loved sardines packed in mustard. I love them. Good source f iron. I remember my Daddy when I was growing up loving sardines and a beer. Ha. Mama used to tell him he was sleeping on the couch. Zara looks like a full Maine Coon. She is so pretty. I wish so much I wasn't scared to death of cats. I have a phobia to them. Embarrassing sometimes.
    Reply
  • Ana
    January 2, 2014 · 12:51PM:
    Sardines are a nutritional power house but they always look so sad when you open the tin. You can certainly get over that though.. sardine fish cakes go down quite nicely at times.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 2, 2014 · 2:44PM:
      Yeah, they really do. I've never tried sardine cakes! Recipe?
      Reply
  • Bob Theroux February 13, 2014 · 12:34PM:
    I'm a little late to this post but just read your quest post on KERF. Excellent article and the link to sardines sent me here. I'm a 2-can a week guy. I've added your blog to those I regularly read. Looking forward to reading your stuff.
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 13, 2014 · 1:05PM:
      Thank you for reading!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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