December 2011

Pink City Mojito, Fairmont Jaipur

Is India on your travel bucket list? If it is, contact me! There are some amazing offers right now to explore this fascinating country.

Either way, here is a fun, fresh mojito recipe courtesy of the Fairmont Jaipur!

Ingredients

Yield: 1 Cocktail

• 1 Part White rum

• 1 Part Pomegranate Liqueur

• 2 Parts Pomegranate Juice

• 1 Tbsp Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

• 8 Mint Leaves

• ½ a lime cut into small cubes

• Club Soda to Top up

• Garnish: Mint sprig dusted with Edible Gold dust and a lime wheel

Preparation

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

• Place mint, ½ of the pomegranate seeds, and lime in a tall glass muddle all ingredients

• Top glass with crushed ice.

• Add white rum, pomegranate liqueur, pomegranate juice and top with club soda

• Add remaining pomegranate seeds and stir gently

• Served garnished with a edible gold powder dusted mint sprig and lime wheel

Other notes

Fresh pomegranate was a favorite of the Mughals – they believed it to be fruit of the garden of Paradise. At Fairmont Jaipur, this delicious cocktail pays homage to the Pink City and its favorite fruit.

Ok, can you say YUM?!

Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting time as the two of you eagerly anticipate expanding your family. As you prepare for your bundle of joy, you may hear from friends and family that your life will never be the same again. And they’re right—once baby makes three, everything changes, especially for those first few months.

Before the two of you reach that desirable destination called “Parenthood,” we suggest you go on a babymoon together. Like a honeymoon, a babymoon is a romantic retreat you enjoy with your significant other (only, this time around, it’s best not to indulge in any champagne!). To ensure a trip that’s as smooth as, well, a baby’s bottom, you should enlist the help of an expert travel agent that can match you with the top babymoon destinations and accommodations that best reflect the two of you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a babymoon.

Know the Reasons Why

Nine months may seem like a long time, but it goes by quickly and you’ll never regret taking a week, or even a weekend, to reconnect with your significant other before you both change into new people (namely, mommy and daddy). Here’s a quick look at just a few reasons why you should take a babymoon:

Health & Relaxation: Pregnancy can be an anxious time, and a babymoon encourages both of you to slow down, relax, and focus on each other and the simple things that matter the most.
Bonding: As vacations go, babymoons tend to have a slow, enjoyable pace, centered on the two of you as a couple and those baby-safe things you most enjoy doing together, like taking a ride through scenic countryside. In other words, this is the perfect time for you to hold hands, gaze into each other’s eyes, and remember all the reasons why you’re a great couple—and why you’ll be great parents.
Take a Time Out: You’ve got a nursery to create, a car seat to buy (and install properly), and a seemingly endless list of important things to do before baby arrives. Now take a deep breath, and take a time out—preferably one that involves packing your luggage and really getting away together.
Do It For Mom and Dad: Pregnancy tends to be all about the mom-to-be—and for good reason—but the dad-to-be is going through many changes (and worries!) of his own and deserves some positive attention. A babymoon is a great way to remind both of you that you’re in this together.
Your Last Hurrah: We don’t mean to sound dramatic, but the truth is that, once baby arrives, your carefree days are over—you’ll be too busy changing diapers, mending boo-boos, driving carpools, and hosting sleepovers to have much alone time as a couple, and it certainly won’t be easy to carve out an afternoon together, let alone a week away. So take advantage of this “us time” while it’s so easy to come by!

Know When to Go

Generally, you can travel without worry any time up to your 7^th month. For most pregnant women, the second trimester represents those magical three months when energy is high, morning sickness has passed, and you don’t yet have to deal with surprises like swollen ankles. Whenever you choose to travel, though, it’s best to talk with your doctor first, especially if you’re planning on traveling out of the country.

Know Where to Go

The earlier you are in your pregnancy, the wider the travel net you can cast (although this isn’t an ideal time to plan your around-the-world adventure); the closer you are to your 7^th month, the closer to home you should stay. Here are a few tried-and-true babymoon ideas:

Weekend Getaway at a Spa Resort: Find one that specializes in maternity and couples treatments.
Cruise: Look for a cruise ship, line, and itinerary that focuses on the baby-safe adventures you both enjoy most, like gourmet dining.
Resort Vacation: Search out a couples-friendly resort that will keep the two of you as busy, or as low-key, as you desire.

Hoping for an easy babymoon delivery? It’s essential that you enlist the help of an expert travel agent that has experience planning family travel and babymoons so you get matched up with your right vacation type. I have three boys, and I took a babymoon with each one. I know how critical it is to get those few days of quiet to yourselves. It helps to center your mind and body before the joy and the chaos of kids.