UPDATE: (This design is now available on tea towels!)

Before WWII the humble sardine was an American dietary staple. Canneries lined the coastal regions of the states and even served as the locale of a great American novel.

Somewhere along the way the lowly pilchard fell out of favor - replaced by the sleek tuna and a more glamorous American diet. When I was growing up densely packed canned of sardines in several flavors were still available in the grocery aisles. They were easily packed into our saddle bags or our pockets for long days at the lake.

Now, as many of us are living with the effects of the high carbohydrate American diet, these tiny fish are suddenly more interesting. Unfortunately it's just a decade or so after most of our American canneries have closed.

I haven't purchased a can of sardines in years, but they are on my most current grocery list. They are high in vitamins, omega 3s, calcium and environmentally friendly. Maybe they should be on your list, too?

Here are a few interesting articles for further reading:
Sardines - The World's Healthiest Food
Six Reasons To Eat More Sardines
Sardines Get a Modern Makeover