Put a positive spin on provisioning. While you may
Lastly, the delicious Jamaican grapefruit soda Ting is a favourite of
consider provisioning a chore to complete as quickly as possible, your
Caribbean children and adults alike.
kids may think otherwise; for example, grocery shopping is a reliably
Strive for balance. For most children, there’s a fine line between
fun part of my daughter’s week when we play “I spy” to identify groceries. Island grocery stores and farmer’s markets have exotic fruits and “weird” looking vegetables, such as knobby Caribbean tubers like tannia and dasheen, which may pique your children’s curiosity. Perhaps you can purchase fruit that’s new to your children—passion fruit, papaya or mango—to sample on your boat.
consistency and adventure. Children like what they know, yet part of the adventure of life and growing up is the process of trying new things. Food should be no exception. So encourage your youngsters to eat Anegada lobster (although you might be promoting an expensive habit!), but then allow them to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or Cheerios for their next meal.
Just because your kids are wearing swimsuits Take a break from the galley. Give yourself a break and doesn’t mean clean-up will be easy. My friend Kristine, let someone else do the cooking by planning a few meals ashore. an experienced cruiser and mom of two boys, wisely said, “We avoid anything that spills easily or leaves a colored residue on the kids’ hands that will then get smeared on the cushions.” Keep her advice in mind before grape jelly and Cheetos find their way into your grocery cart.
Designate a snack cabinet. Children need regular snacks, so designate a snack cabinet filled with healthy grab ‘n go items such as dried fruit, nuts and granola bars. Convenient snacks are
VI restaurants frequented by cruisers offer such child-friendly fare as barbecued chicken, fish fingers and rotis filled with curries. Lunch is an ideal time to take the family ashore for a meal, especially at those popular establishments that become boisterous at night. Best wishes for smooth sailing—and dining—with your pint-sized crew this spring break. PY
important for busy days when your sailing schedule may not allow for regular meals.
Stay hydrated. Stock plenty of beverages, since hydration is essential in the VI’s warm and sunny climate. To encourage your kids to drink more water, let each child select his own reusable water bottle before traveling to the VI. Though you may typically purchase fresh milk for your children, consider buying long-life milk, the norm in the Caribbean. Long-life milk is cheaper and will not spoil as quickly as fresh milk. Additionally, it will not take up precious refrigerator space, as unopened boxes can be stored with dry goods. For a cool treat, my friend Stephanie makes slushies for her kids when they’re on charters. She uses juice blends, such as Ceres Whispers of Summer, and freezes the juice until it’s a slushy consistency. Her kids go crazy for it.
Restaurant • Bar • Shops Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 284.495.5411 | 284.495.5497 www.topofthebaths.com | thebaths@thebathsbvi.com
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