 |
| As we drove past this sign, Tom quickly turned around so we could check it out. |
Yesterday, headed to local health food store for a few ingredients to make homemade toothpaste. After reading considerable information about the less than ideal ingredients in most toothpastes, we decided the time had come again to make our own. On a few occasions, we made a few attempts with little success.
Over these years we’ve attempted to buy more healthy toothpastes from pharmacies and health food stores around the globe but even they contain less than desirable ingredients for our liking.
 |
| We purchased the fresh smoked salmon instead of the frozen offered on this sign. |
Today, we’ll make a new recipe for the toothpaste we found from a highly regarded physician, trying it today, tonight, and again tomorrow morning. If we find it palatable, tomorrow we’ll post the recipe, photos of ingredients, and how to make it along with our assessment of the taste and efficacy.
Anything we can do to aid in our continuing good health is certainly worth a try. We continue to research in these areas on a regular basis, only from reliable professional resources incorporating those which may work for us.
 |
| When seeing these fish prices they are quite reasonable. For example, one of TV guru Gordon Ramsey’s favorites is the John Dorey and red snapper (which we purchased). At the NZ price of $37.50, US $25.33 for a kilo which is 2.2 pounds! What a great price! |
After we left the health food store, Tom took a detour along the ocean close to the industrial port. As we drove past a business area, at the exact same moment, we spotted a sign for a wholesale fish market, open to the public. “Did you see that?” he asked.
“I did! It looks like a fish market!” I enthusiastically replied as he quickly and safely made a U-turn, pulling up in front of the building. We’d made a few inquiries about fish markets, but no locals had mentioned this location.
 |
| Sole is a wonderfully mild fish suitable for sauces. But without a good knife, it would be impossible to filet. |
The local grocery stores in New Plymouth have substantial fresh fish sections which I often shy away from when often, the fish is imported from other countries, not caught locally.
On a few occasions, I’ve inquired as to the origins of their fresh fish only to discover they’re imported which is a big turnoff when we have no idea if it originates from a “farm” which we’re opposed to eating. I realize that when cruising any fish we order is imported and may be farmed.
 |
| Although mackerel is a healthy fish rich in nutrients and fish oil, I’m not a big fan. We would have purchased the fresh salmon, but all that was remaining was tail sections with bones. |
While on a cruise for only a few weeks and we’re less concerned over the short period as opposed to three months in a specific location where we’re in control of food purchases.
For example, in Fiji, we discovered that the locally sold fish was mostly caught close to the shore where toxicity is high. As a result, we never purchased fish in Fiji to cook “at home.”
 |
| From left to right, yellowfin tuna, snapper, a bag of mixed local clams, shrimp, and calamari, and fresh, not frozen smoked salmon. Total cost for all items: NZ $40.31, US $27.21. I cut the snapper into two portions, the bag of shellfish will provide three portions and one portion for the tuna for a total of six portions at an average of NZ $6.72, US $4.53 per serving. We use the smoked salmon as an appetizer with cream cheese and celery. |
Of course, there’s no guarantee that purchasing fish from this wholesale fish market would be different, but the odds were improved when I inquired as to the origins of the fish they offered for sale.
When they explained it was all locally caught with the exception of a few frozen items, none of which we purchased, my mind was at ease, especially we weren’t buying many items with our short time remaining in New Zealand.
Tom doesn’t care for fresh fish. He’ll eat lobster, Barramundi in Australia, and in our old lives, fried walleye in Minnesota. Everything we purchased yesterday will be exclusively for me with the exception of the smoked salmon which he’ll try.
 |
| The doorway to enter and exit the fish market is a series of chain links. |
The tiny shop, Egmont Seafoods, Ltd, was jammed with other shoppers but we didn’t have to wait long. In no time at all we were out the door, having spent less than expected as shown in the included photo’s caption.
After we left the fish market, with our fish triple wrapped on a cool day, we continued on our detour, able to stop at some sites we’d yet to see while taking several photos as the clouds rolled in.
Today, it’s pouring and after two days out and about, we’re staying in. Back at you tomorrow with more new photos! We hope your day is bright and sunny!
Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and friends of lost loved ones in the devastating bombing in Brussels. Is there any place safe left in our world?
Photo from one year ago today, March 23, 2015:
 |
| A Laysan Albatross chick growing quickly while we visited every few days Oftentimes, the chicks are left alone for many days while the parents head out to sea for food returning to regurgitate a huge portion for the chicks. As the chicks get fatter and fatter, they are easily able to survive off their fat for water and sustenance until their mom and dad return. For more details, please click here. |