Blog | Page 48 of 62 | Rum Therapy

April 1, 2013August 24, 2016

The Fight Against The Bite

Unfortunately insects like the tropics too. Mosquitos, No-See-Ums (sand fleas), ticks and more would love to make you their next tropical treat. And equally unfortunate is the fact that some folks just seem to be insect – especially mosquito – magnets. Studies show that approximately 20% of people are considered “high attractor types”. If the prospect of spending your well deserved time in paradise swatting and itching and returning with what appears to be a horrible case of the chicken pox actually makes you think twice about spending time on a beautiful beach dressed in anything other than a full body suit, here are a few tips on how to avoid becoming insect bait.

First of all, whether you are a “high attractor type” or not, everyone should take steps to protect themselves from insect and bug bites as they can, at the very least, cause discomfort and allergic reactions and far worse – insects are carriers of some very nasty diseases such as the West Nile Virus, malaria and dengue fever. Even if you are not prone to getting munched on, you should follow these important tips:

1. Either avoid being outside during peak mosquito and other insect hours – dusk to dawn, or take extra precautions such as covering up with more clothing and being vigilant in using a repellent.

2. Wear lighter clothing as mosquitos are apparently attracted to darker colors.

3. If your accommodations do not have screened windows, use a mosquito net while sleeping.

4. Avoid wearing perfumes or any products containing a fragrance.

What about bug repellent?
Experts believe at this time that the most effective ingredient in bug repellent is DEET and of course, the products with the highest concentration of DEET provide the most protection. But, some people are very sensitive or allergic to DEET and others are concerned about its potential toxicity.

Are there any alternatives to DEET? According to the CDC, other ingredients with good repellent value are: picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely on all products to maximize efficiency and minimize side effects.

Are there more natural alternatives?
There are quite a few natural alternatives that are beginning to show promise in the fight against the bite. These include:

Essential Oils, such as citronella and eucalyptus

Neem (Azadirachta indica) mixed with coconut oil

Soybean oil-based repellents such as Bite Blocker

Mosquito Milk containing Lemon Grass

Here is a recipe for a Make It Yourself Natural Bug Repellent found on NYR Natural News:
Fill a small (4 oz.)spray bottle with:
1.5 oz. water
1.5 oz. vodka
15 drops citronella essential oil
15 drops eucalyptus oil
5 drops lemon grass
5 drops lavender
Shake the bottle before each use and spray on skin and clothing as necessary (requires more frequent application, at least every 2 hours)

And lastly these foods and supplements have shown some promise as well:

Garlic – some studies have shown that ingesting more garlic may increase your repellent ability, and that rubbing it on your skin may be even more effective, although it may repel more than mosquitos!

Vitamin B-1 – increasing the amount of vitamin B-1 in your diet for several weeks prior to your vacation is sworn to work by some.

As with all medications and supplements, be sure to check with your physician before trying anything new. And, most importantly, be prepared and find out what works for you before your next tropical escape to prevent disease, discomfort, allergic reactions and returning from vacation with a terrific tan, but legs that look like a connect the dots game!

Have you found some other effective way to prevent mosquitos, no-see-ums and other insects from making a meal out of you? If so, we’d love to hear them!

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 28, 2013June 24, 2021

Lava Flow

Aloha! We enjoyed a Lava Flow on vacation in Hawaii a while back and loved the banana, coconut, strawberry (and rum of course!) taste. Because we add ice to the banana, coconut and pineapple mix, it makes a nice, light and frozen concoction. Close your eyes while you sip and you might even hear the palm trees rustling in the gentle Hawaiian breeze…

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Print Recipe

Lava Flow

Close your eyes while you sip and you might even hear the palm trees rustling in the gentle Hawaiian breeze…

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Ingredients

1 oz. Coconut Rum
1 oz. Light Rum
1 small Banana (or 1/2 of a larger one)
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Coconut Cream (coconut milk can also be used)
2 Large Strawberries
1/2 - 1 c. Ice

Instructions

Blend the banana, pineapple juice, coconut cream and ice in a blender until smooth and frothy and put to the side.
Slightly blend the strawberries and rums in a blender and pour in a small hurricane glass.
Slowly pour the banana, pineapple and coconut cream blend on top of the strawberry and rum mix and watch as the strawberry mix swirls up into the lighter mixture looking a bit like a lava flow!
Garnish with a strawberry or slice of pineapple.

If you like the sound of this recipe, you might also like a Miami Vice

You might also enjoy Rum Therapy On Kauai

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 28, 2013June 5, 2019

Saltwhistle Bay Beach, Mayreau

A beautiful crescent shaped beach with soft, white sand and incredibly clear, calm water. Saltwhistle Bay Beach is found on the small island of Mayreau in the Grenadine chain. Good anchorage for the boats and yachts that clamor for mooring in the beautiful bay.

Access: Get to Mayreau by boat. Good anchorage (although it’s getting better known by boaters and so it can get busy with boats trying to moor there). We also noticed several larger ships anchored in Saline Bay. From Saline Bay you can hike over the hill through the village of Old Wall and down into Saltwhistle Bay.

Beach: a long crescent of soft white sand beautifully fringed with palm trees. Great for swimming with gentle sandy access and usually calm surf. Shallow for quite a way out. Great walking beach. Separated from the rougher Atlantic side by a small strip of land.

Recommended for: swimming, walking, relaxing and those that don’t need or want a ton of amenities.

Tip: if you have the time, hike up the hill to the village of Old Town. There are several good bars (careful – they serve Sunset Very Strong Rum – good, but potent!), great views and very friendly people.

Other St. Vincent and the Grenadines post that you may be interested in:

Jack’s Bar, Bequia

Coconut Bar, Young Island Resort

Petit Tabac, The Grenadines

Mopion, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Happy Island, an Island and a Bar

copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 25, 2013April 19, 2021

Frozen Mojito Pie

Frozen Mojito Pie, my, oh, my… I was looking for a dessert to make for company this coming weekend with just the right summertime taste. I ran across a recipe for a Frozen Mojito Pie that seemed to require a bit of tweaking, but with a few changes it turned out just right – cool and refreshing and just a little tartness from the lime compliments the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients. Guess I’ll have to make another one for this weekend, ’cause I’m pretty sure this one will be gone by then…

Print Recipe

Frozen Mojito Pie

Cool and refreshing and just a little tartness from the lime compliments the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

Servings:

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust
1 8 oz. container whipped cream
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. sugar
zest of 1 lime
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp. light rum
20 mint leaves, finely chopped

Instructions

Soften cream cheese at room temperature.
In a large bowl, add cream cheese, whipped cream and sugar.
Using a blender, blend ingredients until very smooth.
Fold in lime zest, lime juice, rum and mint leaves and blend by hand until evenly distributed.
Pour into graham cracker crust, cover and freeze overnight. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving, garnish with a bit of lime zest.

Find more delicious recipes here!

copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 25, 2013May 20, 2019

Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me….Sunburned?

I don’t know about you, but one of the highlights of a tropical vacation for me is feeling that wonderful sun on my skin, although, nothing ruins a great tropical vacation like a bad sunburn, and with all that beautiful sand and clear water, it can happen before you know it. How do you enjoy that well deserved sunshine on vacation without paying the price – short OR long term? Here are a few suggestions:

Sunscreen:
Sunscreen is of course, the most widely recommended protection against sun damage to your skin. How do you choose the one that’s right for you? Most dermatologists recommend a broad spectrum of full spectrum sunscreen, one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Doctors usually recommend an SPF of at least 15 and reapplication at least every 2 hours or more if you’re in the water. Check on the bottle to see how many minutes before sun exposure you should apply your first coat of sunscreen.

Avoiding Rays During Peak Hours:
The sun’s rays are most damaging during its peak hours of about 10am – 4 pm, so if you are out in the sun (especially in or near the water) be sure you have good sunscreen coverage and/or protective clothing and hat coverage.

Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Recently we’ve been reading a lot about “reef friendly” sunscreen. Scientific research is showing that chemicals in common sunscreens are dangerous to delicate coral and can destroy the algae reefs rely on. According to National Geographic News, approximately 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen are washed off in reef areas every year causing some of the rapid kill off of our delicate ocean coral.

Which sunscreen chemicals have been found to be most dangerous to coral? Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), Octyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), Propylene glycol and Butylparaben, Camphor, and Cinnamate.

So does this mean that you need to throw out your current sunscreen bottle collection and replace it with new “reef safe” sunscreen? Well, first of all, many of the ingredients found in common products used everyday can have the same negative effect on delicate coral reefs. Organic or biodegradeable products are usually better for us and coral than chemicals, but many experts say to especially avoid product ingredients starting with the prefix “oxy” or “hexa”.

Secondly, there are other larger threats to coral reefs, such as ocean and coastal pollution. But, if there’s something small we can each do to reduce the amount of toxins entering our ocean, isn’t it worth looking in to?

Where do you find “reef safe” sunscreen? The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has published results from their studies of the Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens. On the list it gives links to stores that carry the product listed. I suspect that many diving shops may carry “reef safe” products too and it’s amazing the number of products you can find on Amazon anymore! Reef Friendly Sunscreens on Amazon

Foods That Provide Some Skin Protection
And lastly, for those of us that are looking for as many natural alternatives in our chemically overloaded lives as possible, there has been some interesting research done on foods that give natural skin and sun protection. Not that you should forego using sunscreen or following good sun sense guidelines, but adding these foods to your diet prior to a tropical vacation may increase your skin’s ability to protect itself and possibly even repair some sun damage. What are some of these super skin foods?

Lycopene: apparently lycopene is a biggie. Found in red and pink produce such as watermelon, pink grapefruit and tomatoes – especially cooked tomatoes and tomato paste.

Greens and fresh herbs: spinach, parsley, basil, sage and rosemary

Green and Black Teas

Dark Chocolate! Yes – chocolate! Flavanoids may improve the skin’s ability to protect against some skin damage.

For more info on foods that provide some sun protection and repair, read 6 Food Groups That Will Protect You From the Sun.

Hope this has given you some ideas to increase your “sun sense” and to help protect your skin in the short and long term. Short from avoiding the sun altogether (ummm, not on MY vacation!) these tips could keep you singing “Sunshine On My Shoulders AND Legs, AND arms, Makes Me…Happy!”

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

March 22, 2013April 25, 2021

Lime In De Coconut

You put de lime in de coconut and drink ’em both up…

A smooth, blended, frozen concoction with the wonderful taste of lime and coconut. Light and tasty. Serve it in a coconut with an umbrella for a real tropical look.

Print Recipe

Lime in de Coconut

A smooth, blended, frozen concoction with the wonderful taste of lime and coconut. Light and tasty. Serve it in a coconut for a real tropical look!

Servings:

Ingredients

1 oz. Dark Rum
4 oz. Coconut Rum
2 Lime Wedges (leave peel on)
2 oz. Coco Lopez
4 oz. Rose's Lime Juice
ice

Instructions

Pour rums and lime wedges in a blender and blend until the lime is broken into very small specks.
Add lime juice and Coco Lopez and ice and continue to blend until smooth.
Add more ice until it becomes quite slushy.
Pour into a coconut glass (or real coconut half) and garnish with a lime slice. (biodegradable straw and umbrella optional!)

Check out more Rum Recipes here!

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 21, 2013October 29, 2020

10 Best Tropical Rum Drinks

Why is it that the taste of a tropical rum drink can sometimes transport us right back to a hammock on a beautiful beach or a great time with friends at one of our favorite beach bars? Still, whenever I taste a Piña Colada, I can close my eyes and almost feel a light sea breeze blowing while lounging on our boat in the evening during our first BVI sail….

We’ve put together a list of 10 Best Tropical Rum Drinks – those that we remember fondly from our past vacations in the sun. What tropical rum drinks would make your list?

1. Piña Colada

Can’t remember the first one I tried, but this is one frozen concoction of pineapple, coconut and rum is one that brings us right back to the islands…This one was enjoyed at The Top Of The Baths, Virgin Gorda.
Piña Colada Recipe
You may also like: The Best Piña Colada Recipe

2. The Painkiller

We sampled out first Painkiller when there was a Pusser’s in Cruz Bay on St. John many years ago… It has become one of our favorites and is available nearly everywhere in the Caribbean now – especially anywhere in the Virgin Islands. And it has a pretty tasty cousin too – The Nilla Killa!
Painkiller Recipe

3. Caribbean Rum Punch

We’ve enjoyed SO many rum punches from tropical locales far and wide that we should be some kind of Rum Punch experts by now. Every place seems to have their own “secret” recipe, but can’t seem to find too many we don’t care for. The difference? The type of rum used and the different fruit juices. One word? YUM!
Caribbean Rum Punch Recipe

4. Frozen Rum Runners

Just plain awesome. Nothing quite cools ya off as well as a Frozen Rum Runner on a hot tropical day. The non frozen variety are great as well, but the frozen ones, well, they’re kinda like a slushee with a REALLY good kick!
Frozen Rum Runners Recipe

5. Bushwhacker

Bushwackers’s. Oh. my. I got a taste of my first Bushwacker atop Paradise Point in St. Thomas many, many years ago and was pretty much hooked. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Chocolate, rum and the amazing overlook of Charlotte Amalie – wow, paradise.
Bushwacker Recipe

6. Bahama Mama

Pretty much tastes like a tropical paradise! Rum, rum and more rum, lemon juice, pineapple juice AND Kahlua. Careful – this one packs one large tropical kick!
Bahama Mama Recipe

7. Mojito

Well, if you’ve been following us long, you already know that we are nuts for mojitos. Pictured here is the Perfect Mojito (our favorite) although we’ve posted a ton of fruity variations that are all quite tasty! Check our post: 10 Mojito Variations for other delicious Mojito Recipes!
Perfect Mojito Recipe

8. Banana Daiquiri

Creamy banana goodness mixed with rum? Ahhh… yes. Here’s one that we really enjoyed at Saba Rock Resort in the BVI (pre-Irma). Maybe the great view had something to do with it??
Banana Daiquiri Recipe

9. Mai Tai

Aloha! First enjoyed on a dinner cruise in Hawaii, this wonderful concoction brings back memories of swaying palm trees and the sound of the ukelele … Requires a few more ingredients than some of the other tropical rum drinks listed, but well worth it!
Mai Tai Recipe

10. Dirty Banana

One of the most searched for recipes on our website, this Jamaican delight must be a favorite with many of you. Dark rum, Tia Maria and rum cream liqueur all mixed in with a tasty banana. Ya mon!
Dirty Banana Recipe

Cheers!

Find more rum recipes here:

Rum Recipe Picture Directory

March 21, 2013June 5, 2019

Skinny Legs, St. John

Skinny Legs, a funky establishment serving up good food and drink to happy customers in quiet Coral Bay, St. John. Apparently named after the original owners sinewy stems, Skinny Legs is a great place to land to relax, chat with locals and visitors alike and to enjoy some great burgers and rum drinks.

Friends Dougie and Moe opened Skinny Legs in 1991 when Coral Bay was even quieter than it is now and it quickly became a favorite of locals. The word has now gotten out and now many tourists to St. John now make their way to the “other” side of the island to enjoy some time at Skinny Legs.

On April Fools Day, 2012, Skinny Legs was purchased by husband and wife team Doug and Jaime who continue to carry on the tradition of good food and drink and a fun-laid back atmosphere.

Rum Punch and Coconut Swizzle
All drinks are shaken, not blended. Skinny Legs is a blender-free zone!

We ordered the Pepper Jack Burger and it was REALLY good.

Eclectic Decor – and one of the Gift Shops in the background

Patrons enjoying some conversation, football, grub and good drinks

Had to give the Skinny Legs Painkiller a try…

As they say on their website – “Skinny Legs – a Pretty OK Place”
We definitely agree…

Find out more:
Skinny Legs, Coral Bay, St. John

Find Skinny Legs on our St. John Map

To see more posts on St. John and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

March 20, 2013September 21, 2019

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach, Key West

Come for the sunshine, stay for the sunset…

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach, located on the west side of Key West, scores this weeks Beach of the Week endorsement as a great place to hang out, have a picnic, spread a towel or rent a beach chair, snorkel and swim, fish, enjoy the sunshine and then get treated to some of the prettiest sunset views around. Key West is not really known for it’s beaches, but many feel that Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is the best on Key West – and it’s rumored to be the favorite among the locals. We think it’s well worth a visit.

Access: It can be a bit tricky to get to. Drive south on Southard Street and into the Truman Annex. Follow the road to a guard shack (small admission fee). Continue on a paved road to parking which is close to the beach. We saw quite a few people ride their bikes to the beach and there are bike racks available.

Beach: Areas of sand with some rocks in the swimming area, sheltered cove area which is good for children, gently sloping access, some shade, good snorkeling in the rocky areas.

Amenities: Many amenities available, including beach chair rental, snack shop, picnic tables, restrooms and showers, gift shop, and nature trail.

Swimming area

Recommended for: swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, people watching and watching sunsets.

Tips: Water shoes are recommended. If you have time, take the guided tour of the Fort located close to the beach. Then, move to the rocky west end as the sun begins to set to be treated to spectacular sunsets as the boats sail by….

Waiting for the sunset with some pirates who were in the area for a Pirate Festival!

Watch as the ship disappears into the sunset and then reappears again!

Find out more here: Florida State Parks – Fort Zachary Taylor

March 18, 2013June 5, 2013

Combating Seasickness

Seven years ago, sailing on the Atlantic side from Norman Island to Cooper Island in the British Virgin Islands, I got seasick for the very first time. Never having a hint of seasickness or even motion sickness before that day, I honestly thought I might die by the time we got to Cooper Island.

Since that day, I unfortunately have been stricken with the same awful, nauseating, debilitating feeling while snorkeling and sailing. Not every, time, but often enough that I get concerned every time I am preparing for a sail and – this is NOT ALL RIGHT! I know I am not alone and I know I refuse to let this get in between me and my incredible love for being on and in the water, so, after a bit of research on seasickness, what it is and how to prevent it, this is what I’ve found.

Anyone can experience seasickness. Even those that have logged quite a bit of time on the sea are not immune to it – although most people acclimate to the motion of the ocean in 2-3 days and are less likely to experience the most severe symptoms of seasickness by then.

Symptoms of seasickness appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the body, inner ear and eyes. Some say you can will it away – I say that’s said by someone who has never experienced it! So what can you do if you are going on a cruise or a sail and don’t want to spend the first several days of your vacation bent over the railing?

These are some of the recommendations I’ve received from doctors and others who love to sail who also struggle with it. Some work for me and some don’t, and some I have yet to try. Be sure to check with your doctor before using any type of medication.

Take deep breaths and drink lots of water.
Don’t go below deck, stay where you can see the horizon.
Refrain from drinking alcohol or eating heavy foods prior to sailing.
Over the Counter Medications. Take an over the counter medication for motion sickness prior to sailing or snorkeling, such as Dramamine, Bonine or Meclizine.
Presciption Medications. If the over the counter medications don’t work for you, there are several prescription medications such as Promethazine and Ephedrine, but be aware of potential side effects.
The patch. I know many people who find a patch with a drug called Scopolamine placed behind an ear very effective, but I am a bit leery of it based on a reaction one of our boat mates had to it on a sail to the Grenadines.
Herbal remedies. Ginger is purported to work quite well in thwarting the effects of seasickness. This one I haven’t tried yet, but believe I will bring some ginger capsules (and maybe ginger candy!) on my next sail. Check with your doctor first, but apparently the recommended dosage for seasickness is one gram of powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or its equivalent, every four hours as needed (not to exceed four doses daily), or two ginger capsules (1 gram), three times daily. You should not ingest more than four grams of ginger daily. If pills and powder are not your thing, chew on a piece of fresh ginger, a piece of ginger candy or sip on ginger ale.
Acupressure or Motion Sickness Wrist Band. According to Chinese medicine, acupressure can be helpful in relieving nausea associated with seasickness. With your thumb, use pressure on your inner arm about two inches down from your wrist. Or – by a motion sickness wristband that will keep pressure on the same area.
Acupuncture. I have a friend who has recently tried acupuncture to alleviate the nausea felt during a bout of seasickness. She receives an acupuncture treatment prior to her sail and swears that it has kept her from getting sick on both of her recent sails. I have a bit of an aversion to needles, but think I may just have to give this one a try too.

Do you have other methods that have helped you combat seasickness? If so, we’d love to hear them!