Yeah, I didn't think so!

I never really thought that watering plants and checking my garden during my breaks would be something I would look forward to. Growing a garden can be quite challenging but it can be very rewarding. There's a lot to learn in a span of months and even years, but this is something I want to keep doing because it actually feels good to harvest something you personally grew.

I started gardening a few years ago. I focused in planting flowers on the front garden and this year, I added edging and more flowers. I also learned which flowers to avoid and add. One step up that I started this year was to plant edible goodies!

If there's one thing that I miss so much since I left the Philippines, it's eating seafood! Moving in the middle of the USA and closest ocean literally are hundreds if not a thousand plus something miles away, getting fresh seafood is almost impossible. When we discovered Island Sushi in Appleton, WI - because I was actively searching - I couldn't be any happier! A little over five years later, we still go there regularly but I've always thought... why not make it myself?

The biggest struggle is getting sushi grade fish. I don't trust eating the salmon and tuna from grocery stores raw. I also know that there is a freezing process involved to kill the parasites and bacteria. I only have a regular freezer that doesn't deep freeze so that's another story. Well, of course I can always use crab meat or shrimp, but I guess I just never had the motivation until I found this Korean store that sold Korean and Japanese goodies! There are many Asian stores here but they're mostly Hmong and the products are mostly Southeast Asian. I definitely have no complaints as they sell the food I want and need. But they didn't have much Japanese or Korean items so finding the Oriental Food Mart in Appleton was awesome.

I finally took the courage to create my own Maki Rolls! The catch? I cooked my salmon!
But why!?? I wasn't ready to risk getting parasites or getting sick. Did it taste any different? Not really. The texture is different consider that raw fish more gelatinous but it was still great (or so the Husband Bear says!). This will also be great for people who aren't fond of eating raw food.

Let's Get Started!
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