The dawn of a New Year is the perfect time for a lifestyle overhaul. Overhaul your diet, your wardrobe, your cupboards and your underwear drawer. Bye bye Bridget Jones granny pants, hello cheek baring thongalicious. In the underwear vein, last week on Facebook there was a trend to update your 'status' to your bra color. I confess I lied. I put 'leopard' when in reality I should've put 'rather grey with one hole and a bone sticking out under my armpit'. As for knickers - forget about it... they have all seen better days. Big mistake putting them in the dryer all those times with Ceci's bibs, all the velcro latched on and it was an ugly scene, one big frayed knicker emerged attached to several very clean bibs.... SO, a trip to the mall was in order. One trip to Victoria's Secret & Nordstrom later, job done.
bye bye big bum, big bum bye bye...
Next, the diet. The weather is warming up in South Florida, today we saw the temperature go about 70 degrees for the first time since Christmas and with that comes the promise of the sleeveless, strapless, shorts, swimsuits and other such unforgiving attire. I'd rather not inflict the sight of any more jiggling flesh than absolutely necessary on my good neighbors in Jupiter so I am currently on a salad quest. My 5 year old loves to play waitress (hopefully not a permanent career choice) and will bring over her little pad & pen to 'take an order'. As soon as I open my mouth to speak she says, 'oh no mummy, you're having salad and diet coke'. Perhaps comedienne would be a better path for her.

Les Comediennes Rubin
If one is looking for a varied menu, consistent quality and buzzy atmosphere then Jumby Bay Island Grill is a great spot that checks all the boxes. Abacoa has proven to be a tricky spot for restaurants. The mainstays are JJ Muggs, Costellos & Jumby Bay. Others have come and gone but these three flagships remain constant. JJ Muggs will give you a decent burger and enough big screens that your entire family need never converse; Costellos does a mean Monday night pizza special but Jumby Bay has the elusive X factor. It manages to combine great quality ingredients, slick execution, warm and friendly servers and a permanent happy hour! They have recognized that simplicity is the key to success. Great products, well priced served in a buzzy, Jimmy Buffet style Island vibe setting. Lots of choices for kids, grilled cheese for Mia, chicken fingers for Cecile both at $4.95 including soda. I had my current favorite salad, the Peanut Island Salad $12 which features a chargrilled chicken breast, bacon, peanuts and leaves with a spicy dressing served on the side. Hint for you: dip your fork in the dressing rather than tipping the lot over the top; you'll get the flavor in every bite yet save a ton of calories.
Dr. Dave had the Philly Cheesesteak with sweet potato fries $9. It was made with prime rib and sweet sauteed onions; a combination which had me quite yearning for a dog burger from Romford Market (translated as high praise indeed).

Peanut Island Salad & Philly Cheesesteak
If you haven't been to Jumby Bay then you should go; you'll find yourself returning over and over again. Its a great weeknight standby or weekend treat. Restaurants in Abacoa or anywhere for that matter simply don't stand the test of time unless they're fab. This is Fab.
click
here to view the menu for the sublime Jumby Bay, Abaoca