I’m always looking for ways to weave healthy and natural living themes into our lifestyles – and vacations are no different. I’ve always been an avid outdoorsman and closet suburban woodsman. Not surprisingly, my family has been raised to love and cherish the outdoors as much as I do. With all that said, the family was a little surprised when I told them we were pointing the minivan south to Florida.
Mother Nature always conjures up visions of a healthy green forest. But there is also Mother Ocean. Since man first walked the earth, the ocean has been a source of life and sustenance. So, as the temperatures started to drop, I decided to head south for a change of pace and explore the bounty to be found in the deep oceanside south.
The main goal of this trip was to have fun. But from a healthy living perspective, I wanted to acquire as much sustainable fish protein while fueling our bodies with much-needed vitamin D – and South Florida could provide both.
Fresh Caught Sustainable Fish
The first part of this equation was securing a source of sustainable, fresh-caught fish, all while having fun. We decided on a family outing with Sea Cross Fishing Charters just north of Miami Beach. The fishing trip did not disappoint.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and it was a pleasure being on the sparkling ocean water with views of the Miami skyline. From the very start, the ocean was alive with life – even the dock was filled with all types of fish. As we headed out to the ocean, we immediately caught several smaller fish that the crew explained would be used for bait. The kids were brimming with excitement and anticipation.
As we headed further offshore, the water color turned from an electric turquoise aquamarine to a cobalt blue – the colors found in the ocean are truly mesmerizing. We soon discovered a line of sargassum weeds, which were also teeming with smaller fish swimming within the labyrinth of this floating ecosystem. The crew decided this would be a good place to deploy the baits and troll in earnest for our quarry, mahi.
Amazingly, it didn’t take long before the first mahi was hooked and captured. Soon, the entire boat was surrounded by a dozen or so mahi, and the fishing devolved into controlled chaos. The fishing action was exciting to say the least, with everyone getting multiple opportunities to catch a mahi. Within 30 minutes, we had boated ten mahi.
After that initial encounter, the fish disappeared for a bit, so we continued trolling down the long stretch of weeds. About an hour later, we found a few more smaller mahi and were able to boat a few of those. The fishing continued for the rest of the day with periods of excitement sandwiched with times of reflection.
At the end of the day, I couldn’t have been happier with the results. The family had an exciting and unique experience. We also had a cooler full of fresh, sustainably caught mahi that would provide weeks of high-quality protein. We returned to the docks glowing – literally, thanks to all that South Florida sunshine.
More on Sustainability
We’re teaching kids that fun doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. These guys use circle hooks that minimize bycatch and release undersized or unwanted fish back into the water, allowing them to continue on with their lives.
Mahi are abundant in Florida waters thanks to strict, per-person quotas that aim to preserve the fish stocks for generations to come. Traditional hook and line fishing does not involve dragging nets on the seafloor, damaging the ecosystem.
Back at our Airbnb, we fired up the grill and made some super fresh mahi tacos with fresh lime, avocado, and manos from the farmers market. The kids devoured it, bragging about “their” fish. I couldn’t help but focus on the omega-3-packed protein straight from the sea caught by our own hands. Mahi is low in mercury, high in healthy fats that keep hearts ticking and brains sharp.
Glorious Sunshine
We spent the whole day outdoors, from 7 a.m. till sunset. At 25 degrees latitude, the sun’s rays are potent in South Florida. Experts say 15-20 minutes of midday exposure can crank out 10,000 IU of vitamin D – way more than you could get from a pill.
During our fishing trip, we used reef-safe mineral sunscreen. By evening, everyone had that healthy flush. The kids slept like logs.
The next day, we were at it again with some Kayaking through mangroves in Oleta River State Park. Although the park is nestled smack dab in the middle of an urban area, the wildlife sightings were numerous. We saw manatees and herons.
Final Thoughts
Healthy living is often portrayed as a chore. It’s important to remember to have fun and that you can incorporate healthy lifestyle choices into everything you do – even fun family vacations. The kids learned fishing techniques and ocean conservation. Our dinner, and many more to come, came from our own effort, not a drive-thru. And all that natural vitamin D. Let your bodies heal themselves – It’s free medicine.