Just Ask Jess: December 2015

Whole Pet Kitchen: Where Dog Lovers Can Dine With Their Furbabies

One of the many problems that pet parents like me encounter when bringing our beloved furbabies out for a day of recreation is the lack of pet-friendly establishments in the city. :( Malls and restaurants often have very rigid restrictions regarding the bringing of pets, particularly dogs, within the premises of the commercial area that most pet parents opt to leave their furbabies at home (boo!).

If, like me, you are looking for a place where you can bring and treat your furbaby to a meal, Whole Pet Kitchen Pet Deli and Bark-ery is the place to go!

(Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Whole Pet Kitchen Pet Deli and Bark-ery is the Philippines' first natural gourmet pet bakery and restaurant. Located in Barangay Addition Hills San Juan City, it is the brainchild of Chef Giannina Gonzales, daughter of Chef Gene Gonzales---the man behind Center of Culinary Arts.

Isn't it the cutest little cafe? :)
(Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

More than providing a cozy place where pets can dine in fashion and in peace, Whole Pet Kitchen Pet Deli and Bark-ery serves gourmet meals using superior and safe ingredients for recipes that Chef Giannina formulated from scratch to ensure the quality and nutritional value of the pet food.

Jacks, my friend's Pomeranian, inspecting his bowl of Jack's Lasagna.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Chef Giannina shares that she works with veterinarians and other pet professionals to cook food for animals with health concerns, and assures pet lovers that no harmful preservatives or additives are incorporated with the treats.

A range of dishes feature on the pet menu – from birthday cakes to pup-cakes (cupcakes for dogs), biscuits to muffins, biscotti, chews, paw-stas (pastas for dogs), savories, and even a nutritious doggie yogurt cooler. Some of her bestsellers include the banana, oat and liver-flavored muffins, and the paw-shaped turmeric biscuits. Her signature dish is Jack’s lasagna, featuring a medley of beef, liver and veggies layered in lasagna sheets and topped with low-fat yogurt and cheese. Yum! :)

Chef Giannina and her furbaby, Jack the Golden Retriever.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

What's even more interesting is that the café has two sets of menus – one for pets and one for humans. The human menu offers iced tea, salads, lasagna, and sandwiches.

Diners are seated at tables, and are encouraged to feed their pets as they eat. Pet food is generally served on a tray with two ceramic bowls – one for the main course, and another for the drink.

Dog parents and furbabies can now share a meal together,
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

If you love your dogs or cats like children, then I can’t recommend this place highly enough. They’ll love it. And so will you. :)

For more information on Whole Pet Kitchen Pet Deli and Bark-ery, check out their website: http://wholepetkitchen.com/dogcafe/

Yamato: Teppan, Steak, and Sushi Restaurant in Valencia

Yamato Valencia is a Japanese restaurant that is housed in a traditional Japanese style building surrounded by a Koi fish pond. It is located in a popular shopping mall of the rapidly developing Stevenson Ranch area in California, USA.

The facade of YAMATO Valencia in California , USA.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Famous for Teppan Yaki, or the act of cooking in front of the customer, Yamato allows the customer to not only witness and appreciate the cooking process but also offers a genuine experience of Japanese tradition and cultural mastery of its chefs, as if you are watching an episode of the show Iron Chef :p.

Teppan Yaki
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Hot off the grill!
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Once you step into the restaurant, you are welcomed by gigantic lanterns that hang from the ceiling, Upon entering the hall, rows of teppan tables scattered around the area will greet you, and lead your eyes towards the the revolving sushi bar (How cool is that!) at the end of the room. On the right side is a cantina that serves a full bar while you wait for your table, where you can watch your favorite sports team, and which displays some nostalgic items from Japan's historical past.

The cantina
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

With the teppan yaki experience, revolving sushi counter, traditional dining, sake, and exotic Japanese cocktails, Yamato Valencia provides an unforgetable experience of Japanese culinary taste and culture amidst the hustle and bustle of Californian city life. So the next time you are at the Golden State, drop by the ranch area and have a teppan yaki at Yamato! :)

Itadakimasu! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangccol)

Big Bear: Southern California's Only Four Season Resort

When I think of California, U.S.A., my mind almost immediately conjures images of sprawling golden beaches enveloped in lush palm trees. Hey, it was not called the Golden State for no reason, right? But did you know that a small city in San Bernardino County, California has a daily average temperature of 18.2 °C, with freezing temperatures occurring every month and on an average of 186 days each year, from September 24 to June 4! Mindblown!

In contrast to most of southern California, the Big Bear Lake region normally receives significant winter snow because of its high elevation. Located 7,000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, it experiences the range of all four seasons yearly and with the array of weather comes a variety of activities (Shut up and take my money! :p).

Big Bear Cabins (Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

I don’t know anywhere better to share in the holiday spirit and fun than Big Bear Lake, California! Living in the Philippines and spending almost an entire year of tropical climate, Big Bear Lake is my family's destination of choice for a weekend in December to enjoy the winter-time festivities.

People come in droves to try their hand at the two major
winter sports: Skiing and snowboarding.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

During the summer and spring months, visitors go on a boat tour or rent a canoe or kayak or jet ski to really experience the beauty of Big Bear Lake. There are also year round hiking trails that can transform into snowshoe trails during heavier winter months.

The snow-covered mountain is a perfect backdrop for selfies! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Big Bear Lake during the Winter season! Skiers and snowboarders can catch big air and magnificent views while cruising Big Bear's pristine network of groomed powder trails. You can also take a December zip line through the multiple courses, or ride a horse and follow a guide down a snowy ravine And with the snowy ground as your easel, you can be among the first to make snow angels or build a snowman.

Do you wanna build a snowman?
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Meet my friend, Olaf! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

For those who do not want to work up a sweat, you can opt for a leisurely stroll down the downtown Village district complete with dining, movie theaters, shops and massage centers.

Perfect! (Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

But whether you’re planning your next adventure or your first, Big Bear Lake offers plenty of opportunities to experience the FUN especially in WINTER!

Wanna know more about this pristine beauty of a place? Check out their website: http://www.bigbear.com

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom

If you think having your regular fare of hamburger and fries upsized at our local fastfood chains Jollibee or McDonald's is unhealthy, wait 'til you're offered a "regular" serving at Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom!

A walk-in-order-at-the-counter type of establishment, Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom opened in 1979 on the Boardwalk right on the south of Venice Beach, just past Muscle Beach, in Los Angeles, California and remains a staple chain of classic American food in the area. It has since spanned Southern California and beyond.

There's no way you'd miss Jody Maroni's with the aroma of fried
sausage filling up the Venice Beach air! (Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom boasts of gourmet sausages that are made with all-natural ingredients from homemade recipes that are low in sodium and fat and have no nitrates, preservatives, or MSG.

And since no trip at Venice Beach is complete without a sampling of Jody Maroni's, I gave it a try and ordered the following:

Charboiled Cheeseburger
- A third of a pound Angus beef burger with cheese, lettuce, mayo, tomatoes,
and onions

Chili Cheese Fries
- Hand cut fries covered in chili and cheddar cheese

Jody's Smokin Dog
- Jody Maroni's signature all-beef hotdog in natural casing

Fountain Drinks

Just look at the size of that burger!
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

You could just imagine how shocked I was to find out that their "regular" servings are what we would consider as "meals for sharing" in the Philippines!

Heart attack on a platter. Yum!
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

True to their word, Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom served meals that were made from all-natural ingredients with less to almost zero preservatives. However, what bothers me is the manner in which they made the actual meal, which mostly were "fried", or if they were, in fact, grilled, still contained a considerable amount of grease. :(

After trying my hardest and miserably failing in consuming everything that I ordered from Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom, I realized that the problem with the bad diet of Americans isn't so much people's lack of self-control but the country's "toxic food environment"---the strips of fast-food restaurants along America's roadways, the barrage of burger advertising on television and the rows of candies at the checkout counter of any given convenience store. Unless people understand the implications of a grease-filled diet like the one at Jody Maroni's, the risk of obesity and other diseases linked to it will continue to plague the US. :(

For more information on Jody Maroni's, check out their website: https://www.jodymaroni.com/menu/

Venice Beach: A Taste of the Mediterranean in the Heart of California

The Southern California Coast is synonymous with sun, beach babes (woot!), and stunning sandy beaches. This is because the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles are full of great beaches for just about any beach activity you can think of. :)

One such beach is the Venice City Beach in the Venice District of Los Angeles which stretches from the Venice Pier up to the north end at the city border with Santa Monica.

Bicycles line up the paved sidewalks :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E.Vitangcol)

What I love about Venice City Beach are the colorful shops and restaurants that line the boardwalk, and the fun carefree vibe of both locals and tourists that flock the area where they play beach volleyball, ride bicycles, and skateboard along the walkway (think Coachella).

There are people cycling everywhere!
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Of course, I got to try one myself. :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The central hub of Venice Beach is at an area known as Muscle Beach, a nickname earned for the outdoor workout facilities and muscle display platform. But the biggest draws here are probably the street entertainers, tattooed bodies, and self-proclaimed “freaks” that demand attention along the Ocean Front Walk

It's a gym right at the beach!
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Vendors sell everything from cheap sunglasses to T-shirts along the boardwalk. Nearby are many other shops and restaurants to enjoy.

The Boardwalk.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

All things considered, it’s nothing but good vibes at Venice City Beach and I love it! :)

Santa Monica Pier: A City Attraction and Icon

Whenever my family and I have a long Philippine national holiday to spare for spending time together, we often fly off to California and retreat to Beverly Hills to escape the hustle and bustle of dear old Manila.

Bordered on the northwest by the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel-Air and the Santa Monica Mountains, Beverly Hills (where our house in the US is) is conveniently located near the Santa Monica Pier a prominent century-old landmark.

Greetings from Santa Monica Pier! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitngcol)

Santa Monica Pier offers Pacific Park, a full service amusement park, combined with plenty of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops, as well as an entertaining arcade with more than 200 games.

Located on the pier, the Pacific Park Amusement Park features a five-story West Coaster roller coaster, the nine-story Pacific Plunge tower ride, the only over-water miniature golf course, and the nine-story Pacific Wheel ferris wheel – the only over-water ferris wheel in California, and the first solar-powered wheel in the world.

There's no turning back now!.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Santa Monica Pier's Pacific Park also has an original carousel hippodrome from the 1920s and is considered as a national landmark.

The hippordrome, where Lady Gaga kidnapped a kid
in one of the episodes of American Horror Story: Hotel :p
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Among its other equally famous attractions are the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium operated by Heal the Bay which features hands-on presentations and interactive exhibits and the Trapeze School of New York that offers up a high-flying, fun-filled experience on the Santa Monica Pier.

This wide, paved footpath extends south from the Pier and is lined with shops and seven restaurants that range from seafood to classic American food.

By day, you can snag a stick of Pacific Park's popular Hot Dogs.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The Pier is a must-visit Santa Monica attraction that really sets Santa Monica apart as an ideal destination for families and visitors of any age.

Yay, I got a myself a plushie! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Meanwhile, here's a video that I took while riding the West Coaster rollercoaster uploaded for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! :)

Wooooooh!!! :D

The Grand Canyon: Breathtakingly Beautiful

When my family and I spent the holidays in the U.S. last December 2014, we heeded the advice and recommendation of friends and saw to it that we book a tour to the Grand Canyons, and little did I know how much it would take my breath away!

The Grand Canyon National Park is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States of America and a hike to the majestic rock formations is probably on top of every adventurer's bucket list. In fact, nearly five million people travel here every year, with 83% coming from the U.S. and another 17% from other parts of the world (canyontours.com, 2015).

The Grand Canyon
(Image Source: canyontours.com)

The road to the Grand Canyon from the south crosses a gently rising plateau that gives no hint at what is about to unfold. You wonder if you have made a wrong turn. All at once an immense gorge a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide opens up. The scale is so vast that even from the best vantage point only a fraction of the canyon's 277 miles can be seen.

There are many drop off points where tourists can take off and enjoy the sights offered by the Grand Canyon but the South Rim is the most visited location at Grand Canyon National Park, with elevations averaging at 7000 feet (2134 m) above sea level. The Scenic views and vista's are what you are expecting and have been waiting a lifetime to see. The South Rim is open year around and is accessible by all.

The South Rim includes:

- The Historic Grand Canyon Village, reached by driving and served by Grand Canyon Railway

- The Scenic Hermit Road and Hermits Rest (7 miles/ 11.2 km) west of Grand Canyon Village

- The Desert View Drive and Desert View (25 miles/ 41 km) east of Grand Canyon Village

View of Grand Canyon from Mather Point on the South Rim.

View from Mather Point on the South Rim.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

There are many ways to experience Grand Canyon, all of which may be influenced by individual interests, available time, and the weather. If like me, you will opt to visit around December, why not try the same route that we took and try out the activities that we had at the South Rim:

1. Attend Free Ranger Programs
Learn more about the the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon with a park ranger as your guide.

2. Stop by the Visitor Center or one of the Museums
The South Rim offers a variety of museums and information centers that house exhibits and provide park information

3. Walking or Hiking
Walk part of the well defined, and mostly level Rim Trail, starting from any viewpoint in the village or along the historic Hermit Road and greenway; day hike in and around the canyon or backpack overnight below the rim.

4. Tour the Scenic Hermit Road

5. Visit the Scenic Desert View Drive

6. At Desert View Point, climb to the top of a 70 ft. tall (21.5 m) stone Watchtower for a panoramic view that extends for more than 100 miles on a clear day.

And last but not the least, TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES!

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

You never know when you will return to this scenic treasure so you might as well make the most of it!

Hey, everyone! My name is Jessica Eduardo Vitangcol, but I prefer being called "Jess" for short. Now at sixteen years old, I am in junior high school and like most teenagers, journey through life one dream at a time.

Selfie from inside the chopper. Coolbeans!

As a teenager, I face a plethora of challenges, the greatest of which may be making it through my adolescent years with my self-esteem in tact. However, I make it a point to rather focus on developing a sense of who I am and who I desire to be by having a "voice" with which I feel confident in addressing my thoughts and opinions about the world around me. It is also for this very reason that I started this blog which serves as a digital platform where I can document, and in the process, share with others the adventures that I embark in.

I WANT YOU to LIKE and FOLLOW my blog! :)

As I am also fully aware of how a blog can provide an outlet for teens to explore their hobbies, interests, and future career options, expect to read a lot about my random musings on school life, travel, food, sports, entertainment, and yes PETS (specifically dogs), which I hope will inspire anyone who comes across my blog.