pesca what?! pescatarian!

"Occasionally used to describe those who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish. Although the word is not commonly used and a pescatarian is not technically a vegetarian, more and more people are adopting this kind of diet, usually for health reasons or as a stepping stone to a fully vegetarian diet. Pescetarians often believe that moderate consumption of fish or fish oils, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, is necessary for optimum health, although vegetarian alternatives, such as flax seed oil, are available."

This is what a pescatarian is defined as by About.com and the description fits. I have decided to try this type of diet for many reasons but if I'm being honest it's mostly to challenge myself since I've never had to alter my diet whatsoever (religious/moral reasons or allergies for example). It won't be a stepping stone to becoming a vegetarian though because one does not simply live in Japan and not eat fish. Give up conveyor belt sushi? Uh-Uh. Maybe once I move back home though I'll consider it.
 
It might not be much of a challenge though.. I've gone days without eating meat unintentionally. I even tend to get bored of chicken on my plate and end up giving most of it to my boyfriend who gladly accepts it (he's a meat loving kind of guy) but then worries about my protein intake. In this case, the deliberate lack of protein from meat means a decline in iron and probably energy. I know I could (and should) take vitamin supplements to help, but I've had mixed reactions to them. I've read that the negative reactions I've had can be a result of certain combinations of vitamins, the time of day I take them, the dosage amount, etc, but I got so turned off to them that I haven't experimented anymore. At least I'll have fish as a source!

Another aspect of it being a challenge is that I live in -countryside- Japan. It's not like I'm in a third world country to justify having this complaint, but I find cooking for myself to be the most difficult thing here. I can't read labels so I stick with what I know. In sticking with what I know (along with my limited cooking skills) I only have about 10 meals (more like 5 with variations) that I make and I'm -so- tired of them! To top that off, during winter when the kitchen is an ice box, I don't even want to be in there to cook those meals! In those times I come up with a quick snack that I throw together and run back upstairs to the warmth of my room. My restaurants options are limited as well so that's not my immediate go-to option either.

I'm whining a bit about it being hard to eat in countryside Japan. It's certainly possible for even a foreigner to be content with the options here, but since I'm not, it's part of my challenge in being a pescatarian. If it somehow proves to not be a challenge, I'll at least be closely monitoring my body's reaction to not having meat. I've never been a health nut or anything, but some blogs and other things have inspired me lately to try a bit harder so this is how I'm going to start!

Wish me luck!