Here’s my Painkiller drink recipe and my personal twist on the Bill Engvall comedy bit, Here’s Your Sign—a “laugh out loud” dig at folks who ask questions to which the answers are obvious, such as “did you break your leg?” directed to a person in a leg cast and on crutches.
Those of you who are faithful readers of gfe know that I’m not into whining—well not much or not too often anyway. I love sharing information with folks on the gluten-free diet … but occasionally, you’ll get a person asking the questions and you don’t think they have a genuine interest. Or you get someone who will ask you the same questions over and over again with no intention of remembering what you’ve said. In fact, some have already moved on to other completely unrelated thoughts by the time you answer.
Cooper Island Beach Resort (nestled under palm trees; bar is shown to right)
When I was a teacher before my husband and I were married, his roommate would ask me about once every other week what grade I taught. Seriously. It wasn’t like I changed grades every year or anything like that. I taught third grade the whole time I was a teacher. I wanted the answer to flash on my forehead in neon lights when I thought it, so I wouldn’t have to answer him yet again. Although I guess that solution of my thoughts flashing on my forehead would have had obvious drawbacks!
When I was pregnant with Son, people could never remember my due date even though it was Christmas Eve. How hard was that to remember? A maternity top with the due date would have been nice, or maybe with the more recent showing off of the baby bump, I could have worn tight-fitting tops with 12-24 stamped on all of them—perhaps over an image of a Christmas present perhaps or a bambino in Christmas attire. Hey, “due date apparel” might be my million-dollar idea! But I digress.
Oh, we all forget what folks have told us before and repeat our questions to them sometimes, but with some folks, the questioning can become more than a bit tedious and you don’t always want to answer. Or, you’re perfectly fine with the conversation, but want to skip the basics and get to the core stuff. There’s really a lot that can be said about celiac/gluten intolerance/gluten sensitivity and the gluten-free diet, so when a person wants to know more, why waste time on the preliminaries?
There used to be a beach bar on Cooper Island in the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) that had this “let’s not waste time with chit-chat” type of philosophy. We would always stop there when we sailed between the islands. My husband is a scuba diver and Cooper Island was one of the few places in the BVIs you could get scuba tanks filled at the time.
We’d slide off the dinghy into knee-high water and then walk the few steps across the sand once we reached the beach to get to the bar. And “bar” is a very loose term. It was really nothing more than an open-air stand with a canvas top, a big ice chest, a few of those large cylindrical Igloo cooler dispensers, and bottles to supply those dispensers if necessary. There were four seats (something of the plastic outdoor chair variety, if I recall).
The Cooper Island Beach Resort bar was staffed by the couple who ran it and their large dog. Note that resort was also a generous term as, at the time, it was powered by a generator which was turned on for only a few hours a day. And the owner of the resort walked around the property wearing a hard hat at all times. The story was that he’d been hit on the head by a falling coconut from one of his own trees and had suffered a skull fracture years earlier. He wasn’t taking any chances on the same thing happening again, but I digress.
The couple who ran the bar pretty much only served one drink—but it was the only drink that one required and usually only one single serving of said drink—a Painkiller. The drink fits its name, believe me. History (via the web) says that the Painkiller—what is now the BVI’s signature drink—was created by George and Marie Myrick at the six-seat Soggy Dollar Bar on the island of Jost Van Dyke in 1971. The recipe originally included equal amounts of gold Virgin Islands rum and Barbados rum. However, the rum used in the drink recipe was later changed “officially” to only Pusser’s Navy Rum and Pusser’s considers the Painkiller its signature drink. Sometimes known as the “Pusser’s Painkiller” (there’s marketing everywhere, and the alliteration is nice!) and there are several variations, here’s the recipe I use most often (a variation of Cooper Island Beach Resort’s Painkiller).
Painkiller (photo by {dvc} on Flickr)
Back to “the sign” … A bright pink poster was tacked below the counter area of the Cooper Island Beach Resort bar, in the area where one would order drinks. On it, the owners had posted all the answers to the repeated questions they faced to avoid those often tedious and sometimes annoying preamble conversations.
Don’t get me wrong, these folks were very nice and friendly people, but they just thought the basics could be avoided with the help of their sign and their approach actually worked very well. Plus, the sign amused people greatly. I mean it was really a brilliant idea. We still chuckle over it when we talk about our BVI trips. Their sign read:
The Answers
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Since 1986
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Pusser’s dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream
- 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Without a single word (more time for the serving of Painkillers!), the couple conveyed where they were from, how long they’d been running the bar, the breed of their dog, the ingredients in a Painkiller, and the bar’s hours of operation.
Sadly, the Cooper Island Beach Resort bar became a true resort style bar back in 2009, but the charm of the original beach bar is fixed in our memories and certainly, the lesson of the sign remains. Now if I had a sign to save the small talk on being gfe (after I explained what gluten was to those who asked), my answers would read:
- June 2003
- No, not really. It’s challenging at first, but you quickly get the hang of it. You just need to eat real food … meat, seafood, fruit, veggies, and dairy.
- Mine were gastrointestinal issues (mostly diarrhea, but sometimes major constipation), headaches (all types, even migraines), gall bladder problems, endometriosis, canker sores, fatigue, joint pain, weight issues, and more … but everyone has different issues. Gluten can affect people very differently.
- Over time, most of my symptoms eventually went away as my body healed.
- Good!
I’m sure you’ve figured out the questions I was answering:
- When were you diagnosed? (Or when did you go gluten free?)
- Wow, isn’t that diet hard?
- What were your symptoms?
- What happened after you stopped eating gluten?
- So how do you feel now?
What would the answers on your sign be? Do you willingly share info that you are gluten intolerant/or have celiac disease with the hope that it will ensure you get safer food, that you might help others recognize they have gluten issues, etc.? Or do you only divulge this information if absolutely necessary? And finally, do you tweak your answers dependent on the interest of the person asking (e.g., the repeated “querier”), the social situation you’re in, etc.? Please tell us in the comments.
A Few More Gluten-Free Discussions and a Few More Gluten-Free Cocktails for You
~ 5 Tips for a Safe Gluten-Free Thanksgiving (or Any Group Event)
~ A Place at the Table–for Thanksgiving and Any Time
~ Grieving Gluten (and Everything That Goes With It)
~ They Just Don’t Understand, Part 1 of 2 (be sure to read both parts)
And now, here’s that Painkiller Drink recipe for you! Bottoms up!
Painkiller Drink Recipe
Painkiller Drink
This Painkiller earns its name! This delicious and strong rum cocktail originated at one of my favorite locations in the world--the British Virgin Islands, aka the BVIs. It's debatable on which bar in the BVIs created this wonderful concoction!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- 2 ounces Pusser’s British Navy dark rum (or other dark rum), more or less to taste (the resort uses more!)
Instructions
- Shake or stir all together. Pour over ice. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on top. (Fresh grated nutmeg is lovely.)
Notes
If I’m low on pineapple juice, I use more orange juice. Sometimes I use more cream of coconut. Sometimes I use coconut milk and add a bit of honey instead of cream of coconut. This is a flexible recipe.
Originally published August 10, 2011; updated December 17, 2021.
Alisa Fleming says
Mmmm, I’ll take five of those (don’t worry, I’ll pace myself), and a trip to the BVI’s please.
Shirley says
Hi Alisa–Haha … honey, if you drank five painkillers, you’d be out like a light. Seriously, I don’t think you’ll get to even the third. But I’d like to see you make it to the BVIs to try. 😉
Shirley
glutenfreeforgood says
So, um, like, why is your alphabet backwards?
=)
Very creative post, Shirley. Loved it.
1. Depends on which puzzle piece, but about 11 years ago for DH.
2. No
3. Joint pain, canker sores, DH rashes, flu-like symptoms – should I keep going. =)
4. I started feeling better.
5. Wonderful. Unless I get zapped with gluten cooties, drink more than about 4 ounces of wine or eat a truck-load of ice-cream.
BTW, I’m pretty sure I’m low on alcohol dehydrogenase and this “painkiller” thing would totally do me in. I haven’t had anything but periodic low doses of red wine in 20-some years. I’d be floating out to sea if I drank one of those things.
Shirley says
Hi Melissa–Thank you for your kind feedback, dear. And I really appreciate you sharing your answers, too.. Whoa on alcohol dehydrogenase. Had to look that one up! I haven’t had painkillers in a few years, but had to make some for this post. Still really potent.
xo,
Shirley
Ellen Cairns says
Thanks for the great blog, Shirley. I would love to be included in the drawing for the getting organized book. I’ve been dealing with my disorganized issues lately and would probably gleen knowledge from the book. Thank you for the great recipes and the support you provide for Celiacs and gluten sensitive people. You are a blessing to me!
Shirley says
Hi Ellen–You are so sweet! Thank you for your very kind words and welcome to gfe. So glad you commented on the other post for a chance to win Stephi’sbook. 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
cheryl says
love it!
1. 2004
2. nope, super easy now. It WAS hard at first.
3. nerve pain, GI icky stuff, massive wt loss
4. absolutely felt better–had more energy.
5. still struggling with heating issues…and yet, that’s okay too.
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–Thanks for the positive feedback and thanks for your answers! As you know, I think sharing our stories (in every form possible I might add!) is vital, both for those already living gluten free and for those wondering if they should be living gluten free. I really appreciate your input! 🙂
Shirley
Carol, Simply...Gluten-free says
Three or four times a week. I will let you figure out the question 🙂
Heidi @ Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom says
Oooooohhhhh Carol! 😀
Shirley says
Heidi–That Carol, huh? What would we do without her? 😉
xo,
Shirley
Shirley says
Hi Carol–I can always count on you for a good laugh! Since your husband is away, I think I’ve figured out what question this is not the answer to. LOL Athough I didn’t ask THAT question. Hehe. Thanks for sharing, dear! I’m glad you’re willing to educate others and tell your story in just about every forum possible. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Christine says
1. since July 2011
2. extremely
3. You really don’t want to know, just say I knew where every bathroom in town was.
4. No more severe stomach pain and other issues.
5. a little, still figuring out what I can and can’t eat since I also was diagnoised with food allergies. I mean COME ON! HOW can you be allergic to VEGITABLES.
Sorry got carried away. I would love to be included in your drawing for the book though! Thanks Christine
Shirley says
Hi Christine–Thanks so much for taking the time to give your answers! And it looks like you’re new to gfe–welcome! 🙂 Wow, you are really a newbie, dear. I hope you’re finding what you need here at gfe. Be sure to print out gfe’s tip sheets on my sidebar. They can really help you get started and think about living gluten free easily. 🙂 The gf diet seems overwhelming to all of us at first. I use the yellow car analogy. If you buy a yellow car, suddenly you start noticing all the other yellow cars on the road. Similarly, when you start looking at what is gluten free, you start seeing how much food there is that’s already gluten free. (The tip sheets will help you “see” those foods and dishes.) Anyway, I know I and others will identify with your answers. My hubby used to say that I knew every bathroom on the East Coast and that was just from our car travel! 😉 It’s humorous looking back, but not so much when I was actually dealing with the issues. I was diagnosed with a few allergies to vegetables after my gluten intolerance diagnosis, too, but once I took those and other foods out of my diet for a while and my gut healed quite a bit, I was able to reintroduce them successfully. It was hard for folks to understand that I really could not eat a salad without dire consequences, but at one time that was very true. Hopefully, you can remove certain foods for a bit and your gut will heal enough for you to eat them again, too. It’s very likely to happen. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Thea says
1. 1991
2. Not too bad after 20 years – even if I get a gluten bomb by accident – not as bad of a reaction.
3. GI, weight gain, fuzzy brain, depression, acne, exhaustion
4. Lost weight, all symptoms disappeared, much more energy.
5. Great – but finding out now that I have food allergies too….shellfish, dairy, and now
eggs….
It is amazing how much is out there now on being GF – such a delight to go out and eat and they have a GF menu. Wow….what a change 2 decades has brought! I am so grateful for the changes – making life easier (except for the new food allergies!) 😉
Thank you for your blog!
Shirley says
Hi Thea–Thank you for contributing with how your “sign” would read! I have to admit I’m a bit fasinated by the folks who don’t react as badly after being gf for so long. I wonder if that means their guts or more healed and, more importantly, if they are not getting damaged. Conventional guidance says no to the latter question. Lack of reaction (or less of a reaction) doesn’t mean that damage isn’t being done. That’s why some of my friends who do not have symptoms from being glutened lament their situations. They have no way of knowing that they are still having issues. For those who do react though, it’s important to note that some celiac experts have stated that if one had diarrhea as a symptom before and continues to get diarrhea as a symptom of being glutened, that means that person is still getting some gluten on an ongoing basis. Otherwise, gluten reactions change as gluten is removed from one’s system and the gut heals. My typical gluten reaction now starts with a headache. Anyway, not responding to your specifics, but just wanted to share that info for all my gfe readers.
You have a history and perspective that is unique and helpful. I’m hoping your new food allergies won’t be a permanent thing. For most they are not. Even my friend who couldn’t eat shellfish for years, now enjoys it with no problems.
Thanks for your wonderful feedback, Thea!
Shirley
Debi says
Love the sign and the drink! The drink actually sounds like an unblended pina colada with oj added. Or at least how I make them. hehehe
Shirley says
Thanks, Debi! Haha on your unblended version of a pina colada. Good to know that if you ever make me one, I won’t be feeling any pain. 😉
xo,
Shirley
InTolerantChef says
1. Quite a few years
2. Not really, and yes I am a real chef
3. Chronic health issues long term, and painful unpleasant ones short term- (and I had all the local bathrooms mapped out too!)
4.I just noticed bit by bit that I was better. I would find myself waiting for the head/tummy/side/body/ aches but they just faded away.
5. My life has changed completly for the better, I now feel alive!
I think I need one of these signs, I’m in a sling for a few months, and I’m trying to think of a good story, other than I slipped and fell 🙁
Shirley says
Thanks for sharing InTolerant Chef! I love your number five on feeling alive! As far as symptoms fading away bit by bit, I found that, too. I would suddenly realize that I no longer had symptoms x, y, or z.! It’s amazing how quickly we adapt to the absence of what have (sometimes) been lifelong, nagging issues. 🙂
Yes, I think you need the sling to have the “answers” right on it. Get creative! 😉
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Great post Shirley!
1.100 years ago.
2.Not at all, and we eat Gourmet all the way!
3.Chronic health issues since child hood. All the classic symptoms.
4.Bit by bit, I started to feel better!
5.Fabulous!
Shirley says
Hi Ina–Thanks! 100 years ago—love it! Yes, it definitely seems that way even for those of us who haven’t quite reached the 10-year mark. 😉 I love that you proclaim “Fabulous” at the end of your answers and that your blog, Gluten Free Delightfully Delicious, demonstrates every day how wonderfully you eat. Gourmet indeed! Loved your latest pasta dish … great minds. Hehe.
Shirley
Claire says
Hi Shirley, Really enjoyed this post and was smiling at your story about how you found the island. My spouse is a scuba diver too and oh…how we’ve had to make sure he can get his tanks filled. Not for me the depths of the ocean; I prefer snorkelling. Hugs.
Shirley says
Hi Claire–Nice to see you, and thanks for the kind feedback! I’m with you on the snorkeling over scuba diving, although I do enjoy the old-fashioned diving, bell helmet diving (also known as an undersea walk where you can keep on your glasses, contacts, etc. and don’t even have to swim). If you ever get the chance, do that … you won’t regret it! 🙂
Shirley
Zoe says
Hm, I’d have to think of my five answers…but what you said about maternity shirts having a little message with the due date: http://pinterest.com/pin/96158918/ 😀
Shirley says
Hi Zoe–Gosh, darn it … my million dollar idea has been STOLEN! I’ve been robbed!! LOL As the saying goes, if you snooze you lose.. 😉 Thank so much for sharing that, dear! 🙂 Oh, and the questions aren’t supposed to be hard ones … you’re supposed to just give your immediate answers. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Maggie says
Fantastic post Shirley! Made me laugh, made me think, and made me smile. Do you really want to know my answers? 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Maggie–Oh what a high compliment, dear!! Thank you so much! 🙂 Yes, of course, I want to know your answers. 😉
Shirley
Jill R. says
Hey Shirley, love the post. I have the issue with Mr. R asking me questions I’ve already answered and I think it is related to gluten issues that he still doesn’t think he has. I ate something with wheat today and within an hour I had brain fog and was struggling with procedures on my cash register! (Not to mention fibro pain) Slap on the forehead! That’s why you’re GF Jilly! : ) I’m going to give that drink a try too.
Shirley says
Hi Jill–Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your own situation. Could be a comment of those gluten issues for Mr. R and him really not getting it, but he’s trying to, so he asks again. Gluten will certainly remind you of its evils. Stay away, stay far, far away, dear. I like the sound of GF Jilly! It would make a great blog name. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Shannon says
Oh wow, that drink sounds amazing! That might happen this weekend. 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Shannon–Thanks! I hope you enjoy the Painkiller when you do try it. 🙂 Thanks so much for your blog, The Primal Sophisticate. I’ve really been enjoying it! 🙂
Shirley
Ricki says
Great post, Shirley–and what a great idea! I haven’t actually been diagnosed with celiac, so I guess my sign would read a little differently. But eating gluten free has certainly helped rid me of most of my symptoms–and opened up a whole new world of interesting foods! 🙂
Shirley says
Hey Ricki–Thank you! Well if you noticed the question was “When were you diagnosed?” OR “When did you go gluten free?” No two signs will be alike; that’s for sure! Thanks for sharing your gluten-free success, if not all your answers. 😉
Shirley
Jeanette says
What a creative post Shirley – I do get annoyed when people just make small talk, I think we should have a sign around our neck when we go to cocktail parties and conferences – wouldn’t that be interesting and funny!
I’ll answer for my son, who is not celiac but is gluten-free:
1) Diagnosed with wheat allergy December 2010; went GF Jan 2011
2) Really hard in the beginning because he was also dairy/egg/soy free, but once I found Shirley’s blog and other GF blogs, made it so much easier and less intimidating.
3) Severe abdominal pain, weakness in the legs, eczema, cranky
4) Abdominal pain went away (also went dairy/egg/soy free for a while), eczema cleared up (with omega 3 supplements too).
5) So much better – skin has cleared up and no abdominal pain to speak of.
Shirley says
Hi Jeanette–Thanks so much for the compliment on this post! Yes, I think it would be hysterical to have the signs around our necks for those functions! I wonder if it would inspire better conversations with those genuinely interested since we’d dispensed with the small talk. 😉
Thanks for answering for your son, dear. Amazing at what gluten free+ has done for him! Thanks for sharing the info on the omega 3 factor on the eczema, too. I’m sure many will appreciate that. Weakness in my legs was something I used to experience, too. Count your own blog as one that is really helping folks who are gluten free! 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Tall Clover Farm says
Painkiller, you don’t say? Hmmm, this may replace my current favorite, Miss Emily’s Recipe, discovered on a hospitable porch in Charleston SC.
Shirley says
Oh, Tom, Charleston is one of my favorite places in the world. 🙂 So it’s not at all surprising to me that you found a hospitable porch and Miss Emily’s Recipe there! Of course, the mention of Miss Emily’s Recipe takes me back to “The Recipe” from the Baldwin sisters on The Waltons. 😉 I doubt you could go wrong with either Miss Emily’s concoction or this painkiller. It would be mighty enjoyable to have a little contest though! LOL
Shirley
Alta says
That drink sounds so refreshing. Of course, since I haven’t been drinking, I’d probably be napping after one!
1) 2009. Dairy-free in June 2010.
2) Not really, if you eat real food – fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, etc. Eating out is a bit trickier, but if I plan ahead, generally I am good to go. And I actually eat a wider variety now than I ever did before. (in response to the “you can’t eat anything!” comment.)
3) Brain fog, severe heartburn, IBS symptoms, vitamin deficiencies, abdominal pain, tingling/numbness/swelling in hands and feet, fatigue, recurrent infections, mood swings
4) Brain fog, heartburn, vitamin deficiencies, pain, tingling/numbness/swelling, fatigue, infections and mood swings all went away.
5) I’m healing more every day. Only suffer the above symptoms when I accidentally eat gluten or dairy, and while I’m still working to heal my digestive issues, they’re much better than they used to be and are the best if I eat whole, natural, clean foods. I feel more energetic and alive than ever.
Shirley says
Hi Alta–It’s a serious drink despite the seemingly innocuous ingredients. A nap after one is something that’s been done before. A hammock on a sailboat or a chaise lounge on the beach in the warm sun added to the Painkiller’s effects will do that to you. 😉
Thanks so much for sharing your answers! I know they are helpful to all who read … validating to many and eye opening to others. I’m so glad that you feel more energetic and alive than ever, even as you continue to heal! 🙂
Shirley
Jessica says
Oh yes, I’m in graduate school so I always get the question, “Well isn’t it expensive?” added to the list. If I feel comfortable enough with the person I will respond sarcastically “Well it’s not more expensive than the meds and doc appointments I had before going gf.”
My answers:
When were you diagnosed? July 2009 no formal diagnosis b/c I was in school, but dr said to go GF and if it works stay GF
Wow, isn’t that diet hard? Only when friends want to go out to eat at places that are more fast food than real food! Summer is the easiest with all the fresh veggies and fruit!
What were your symptoms? I can track my problems back to being 5 years old! Originally diagnosed with IBS, had a 3 month bout of C diff colitis, diagnosed with endometriosis as well as many other obscure “we don’t know” diagnoses, exhaustion, extremely low iron, B12, and folic acid. Continuous sinus infection, basically I was always sick with something! Wish I had a great doctor back when I had c diff who would see the signs. The doc that advised me was a family doctor, but she was very into the latest research and more natural remedies.
What happened after you stopped eating gluten? It was like someone turned a switch and I definitely felt 100% better. I can definitely tell when I eat gluten. I still have minimal problems which I believe are related to food allergies and healing everything!
So how do you feel now? I feel better. I don’t have to know where the bathroom is every time I go somewhere. I struggle, being in grad school, with going out with friends, but I’ve learned my good friends usually use my input into where we should go. Luckily there is a pizza place here with GF pizza!
Thanks Shirley for all you do!
Shirley says
Hi Jessica–I am so sorry for the belated reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your answers. I think they’ll be really helpful to others. I can relate to so much of what you’ve shared myself, especially no longer having to know where all the bathrooms are. That alone is like an unbelievable bonus, isn’t it? Hope you continue healing and figuring out any other food issues to feel your very best, dear. 🙂
Many thanks for the kind words!
Shirley
Diane-thewholegang says
Love this idea of the mega give away. Brilliant!
Shirley says
Diane–I just realized that I never replied to two of your comments. The mega giveaway was so much fun that I just might have to do it again. 😉
Shirley
Beth says
Shirley,
I’m nursing a pulled (torn, strained, twisted?) muscle in my thigh, so I’m loving the name of this drink! Though, it’s hard enough for me to walk as it is, I can’t imagine how I’d be with one of these babies in my system. Looks delish nonetheless!!!
Beth
Shirley says
Hey Beth–How’s that muscle? I hope it’s all healed now. I’m glad you decided not to indulge in the painkiller. I don’t want to be responsible for any complications. 😉
Shirley
Athalia says
I’ll be experimenting with that Painkiller. Those are my favorites – rum, coconut, pineapple. Yum.
The Sign:
Two and half.
Here in Boone.
Small town outside of Atlanta.
Not sure yet, but I’ll do more testing soon to know for sure.
Fatigue and depression, canker sores, GI ‘stuff’, thyroid ‘stuff’… all much improved 6+ mos GF.
At home.
Shirley says
Hi Athalia–Belated welcome to gfe! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your answers, and I’m so glad you are much improved since going gluten free.
Hope youe keep getting better and better!
Shirley