EATster-It’s No Yolk in the Bahamas

by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD, Tastemaker in Residence

New adventures, food, and family! It’s my trifecta of happiness. So this Easter week, we’re embracing all those elements and heading back to our little piece of heaven in the outer islands of the Bahamas.

A couple years ago we traveled to this sweet spot of Eleuthera and quite frankly it spoiled us. The unique name of the island is “freedom” in Greek. When you step off the puddle jumper plane, and take your first steps into the powdery pink and white sand, freedom is indeed the appropriate name for this speck in a vast ocean.

Our initial trip to Eleuthera we discover the “adventure” in the laid back and remoteness of the island. Our first day we went to grab groceries only to realize all the stores are closed Sunday morning for families to worship together. While I needed food, I felt refreshed by a culture that respected time and reverence for family and faith. Heck in the US, we now barely hit “pause” for Thanksgiving shopping!

When I made it back to the store Monday I was excited to get my food game cooking. Looked high and low for eggs, only to be politely told those only come in on Tuesday. So the food and adventure came when I decided meal planning would be more like an episode of “Chopped”. I embraced the “mystery box” approach and the simple food options of chicken, seafood, rice and beans. It took all 4 of us on that trip to contribute to the creative meal planning, but more importantly it was a bonding experience. I also learned this coffee snob can enjoy Folgers again ☺

So flip the page to this year…Most Easter holidays in our family should be called EATster as the table is brim full with the classic favorites of ham, asparagus, and cheesy potatoes (ah yes can you tell I’m a white girl from the upper Midwest). But a solid warning to my children that this year will be different was met with some wrinkled brows and looks of concern.

We might be “Easter Egg” hunting for sea shells and the chocolate bunnies might be left at home. The traditional meal might be replaced by fish, rice, and beans. And celebrating Jesus, might not be in a church, but with our toes in the sand and our Bibles in hand. Cell phones? Luckily they only work in certain locations on the island. So a day of food, adventure, and family is what this Easter day will bring. I’m pretty sure the guy upstairs had that in mind for us in the first place.

No doubt this year I will embrace challenging myself to some conch recipes. In my next blog post I’ll be sure to share some island recipes. 

In the meantime I’m grateful for the beauty and the bounty and hopeful for what adventures He has for me on the trip ahead.

Happy EATster friends! Whatever the day brings your way I hope it’s full of joy and amazing food!