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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

The Puerto Rican Coffee Buying Guide
Puerto Rico is a small island located between Dominican Republic and Virgin Islands. With a population of only 4 million, it might not be considered as one of the happening or prosperous countries of the world. But if there is one thing that this country has been known for since the past many years – it’s the Puerto Rican coffee.

Just over a hundred years ago, Puerto Rico was one of the largest coffee exporters in the world. It all started way back in 1736 – during the times of Spanish colonies. Despite of a tough start in the beginning, the Puerto Rican coffee industry witnessed a massive boom during the 1800s, when most of the coffee producing part of the world was confronted with civil wars and economic devastation.

Puerto Rican Coffee Varieties

Talking about the production side, the coffee harvest season is from August to March. Out of the total world coffee production, Puerto Rican coffee only accounts for 0.01% due to economic restrictions. Finding good Puerto Rican coffee beans can be challenging if you are not aware of the right brands that sell those specialty coffee beans.

As far as the Puerto Rican coffee variants are concerned, here is a list of some of coffee types that are harvested in the country:
- Yauco Select
- Rioja
- Yaucono
- Adjuntas
- Coqui
- Crema
- Ciales
- Café Rico
- Alto Grande Super Premium
The usual flavor of Puerto Rico coffee is medium acid brew, having a unique flavor and an aromatic feel to the beverage. Locals usually go for an espresso, a cortadito or a café con leche (the café latte in the United States).

You can easily find these coffee varieties in the local coffee shops if you are in Puerto Rico, at very affordable prices.

Forget Starbucks if you are in Puerto Rico

If you ever get a chance to travel to Puerto Rico, well, one thing is for sure – you don’t have to look for a Starbucks or any other Western coffee chain to quench your coffee thirst. A better idea would be to try out the local coffee shops, some of which we have handpicked for you:

CafiCultura – This is an old residence that has been turned into a specialty coffee place. It is located on the north side of Plaza Colon.

Café Cuatro Sombras – This coffee place has deep roots in coffee beans cultivation – dates back to 1846. Known for its 100% Arabica coffee beans, their farm-to-cup operations ensures you get the highest quality of coffee each time.

Café Colao – This is one of the newer coffee places in the country, but certainly liked by both locals and tourists for their wide variety of coffee beans.

Café Don Ruiz – Located in the Ballaja Barracks, this place also has a long history producing traditional 100% Arabica coffee beans that are grown and harvested in the mountainous region of Yauco farm which is around 3,000 feet above sea level. The flavor you get here is rich, robust and full-bodied.

Café Lucero – a place known to serve handpicked, high quality 100% Arabica coffee beans that are harvested in the mountains of Ponce.

Café Nativo – With an ideal mountainous view, Café Nativo is the perfect spot for those who like to enjoy coffee with a little bit of landscape. Using pure spring water and ecological techniques, the coffee beans are grown and harvested at a low temperature to ensure natural aromatic oils and flavors remain present in your cup of coffee.

Friend’s Café – Might not be as traditional as the rest of the coffee shops, this is still one of the better options that you will find for a perfectly brewed cup of Puerto Rican coffee in the Plaza Colon area.

Hacienda San Pedro – With a history that dates back to the early 19^th century, Hacienda San Pedro seres artisanal Puerto Rican coffee that is grown and harvested in the mountains of Jayuya. The coffee is quite rich, full-bodied, velvety and has flavor notes of spice and caramel.

Quick Overview of Famous Puerto Rican Coffee Brands

Going to Puerto Rico might not be part of everyone’s travel itinerary, particularly during the COVID-19 global lockdowns and travel restrictions still in effect in most parts of the world.

This is why we have picked some of the best brands that sell Puerto Rican coffee:
- Alto Grande
- Café Sabino
- Café Molido
- Artesania Boricua
- Café Tero
- CariBrans
- Café Aromas Del Campo
- Hacienda San Pedro
Puerto Rican Coffee Guide – In a Nutshell

Usually rated as one of the top espressos in the world, Puerto Rican coffee is an absolute delight, particularly for those who know their coffee well enough to differentiate between medium and darker coffee roasts, with varying levels of sweeteners, aroma and oils as well.

Even with all the obstacles, difficulties and challenges that the country faced since the past many years, Puerto Rican coffee is still loved and demanded by a number of coffee aficionados all around the world.

Year 2017 was somewhat a sign of hope in terms of coffee production and exports, however, due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, the country was once again hit with severe economic conditions – affecting coffee production as well.

Nevertheless, Puerto Rican coffee was, and will always remain a specialty coffee for a lot of people out there.
August 5, 2020
The Newest Scoop at Black Scoop Cafe: Sundae Ice Cream Pints!

Whether it’s summer or rainy season, one thing is the same: ice cream is delicious! While we can’t go out as much as we want to because of the community quarantine, we can still get our ice cream fix thanks to GrabFood, LalaFood, FoodPanda, and restaurants and cafes that deliver straight to homes. Recently, we’re happy to learn that Black Scoop Cafe has launched their newest sundae ice cream pints. These come in three exciting flavors: Okinawa Brown Sugar with Pearl, Black Mascarpone with Graham, and Halo Halo Surprise.

The Newest Scoop at Black Scoop Cafe: Sundae Ice Cream Pints!

These Black Scoop ice cream flavors are all good. There’s no wrong choice. But if I were to choose only one, it has to be the Black Mascarpone with Graham, which gets its black color from activated charcoal. Ice cream with graham will have you wondering where it has been all of your life. 😉 It’s equal parts adorable and genius. A must-try!

When you’re in the mood for ice cream, milk tea, or both, Okinawa Brown Sugar with Pearl gets you covered. What makes this brown sugar ice cream even better are the pearls that start out solid especially when frozen then slowly thaw and turn out chewy. We removed the pint from the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving. Eating ice cream with pearls is a different experience because once the creamy part is gone, the pearls remain in the mouth to prolong the fun.

Our yaya tried the three flavors and her best bet is the Halo Halo Surprise. Everything was perfect – the texture, the taste, the creaminess of the ube ice cream. It is nice that there are actual halo halo ingredient inside mangoes – something to bite. Enjoy this swirl goodness at home as a snack, dessert, or even an appetizer. Talk about getting your priorities straight.

If the Black Scoop To-Go Pints collection intrigues you, don’t let the weather dictate when you can and can’t have these treats. Get them from Black Scoop Cafe at only P185 each via GrabFood for home delivery or straight from their store. 🙂 They’re best consumed immediately as these are sundae swirls with fresh toppings and best shared with your loved ones.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3EfounoyD/

August 1, 2020
How To Find Luxury Swimwear For This Summer

Summer is finally here! It’s time to unwind, relax, turn your brain off for at least a couple of days and, of course, go bathe in the sun and in the water. Could there possibly be anything else you need? Oh, yes, there definitely could. You need something refreshing to drink, some nice food to enjoy and, most importantly, you need something perfect to wear.

After taking a quick look at the luxurious swimwear Amaio Official has to offer, you quickly realize that you actually have no idea about how to find the perfect things to wear for this summer. One part of you doesn’t really know what it exactly needs and the other part of you isn’t sure about where to shop for the things it knows it needs. How about we kill two birds with the same stone? The stone being this article, and the birds being your lack of ideas about what to wear and where to find that.

Think About the Sun and the Water

When summer wear is in question, you need to think in terms of clothes that will be perfect both for the sun and the water. What does this mean, exactly? Let me make it a bit clearer. There are those swimsuits that you can do everything in but swim. In other words, they are perfect for bathing in the sun, but the minute you step into the water, you’ll regret the decision of buying that piece of clothing.

You don’t want that to happen, do you? You want to be comfortable and at ease both when in the water and when exposed to the sun. When the sun is in question, you’ll also need to think about tan lines. On the other hand, being in water requires you to wear something comfortable that won’t drag you down when it gets soaking wet. How can you succeed in finding swimwear like that, perfect both for the water and the beach?

Materials Matter

The absolutely first thing that you should take into consideration is the material of the clothing item. The material will determine whether a particular swimsuit is actually suitable for the water or not. Getting enough tips on the type of fabric you should choose might even make you think that you could easily make your own swimsuit after having learned such an important lesson. There is also a lot of additional info online on how to make this piece of clothing yourself if you are feeling adventurous.

If you are anything like me, you won’t bother with doing that when there are so many perfectly made swimsuits out there. All you have to do is learn about the materials and you’ll be half-ready to choose your own piece. I’m saying half-ready, because there’s another important factor that you need to take into account. We’ve covered the part that has to do with water and now it’s time to think about the sun.

Model

When you are sunbathing, you want to wear something that won’t leave too many unpleasant-looking tan lines. The sun can get really warm, can’t it? Well, that’s the whole point of sunbathing and, instead of blaming the sun for the tan lines, you should blame your poor choice of clothing. Make sure to never underestimate the power of the sun and choose a swimsuit that you will be comfortable in and that won’t leave unappealing and distasteful tan lines all over your body.

Where to Shop

After having covered the topic of what you need to look for, now it’s time to take a quick look at where you should shop for the perfect luxury swimwear. Of course, it’s not like I can tell you to go to a specific store or a website and shop from there, because different people have different preferences. In fact, nobody should tell you where to spend your money.

I can, however, give you tips on how to choose the swimwear once you have found the right shop: https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Swimsuit

Finding the right shop requires you to check its reputation first. You need to see whether people were satisfied with the products they bought there. This is easily done by reading reviews and testimonials that previous customers have justify. That’s the best way of deciding where to shop.

July 28, 2020
Off Grid Travel: Is It Worth It For A Digital Detox?

When you want to get away from it all, it is so tempting to just get a cabin in the woods with no access to the outside world. No phone calls. No emails. No meetings.

It seems romantic, but when you have no access to any of the comforts of the modern world can you really enjoy yourself? Off grid travel is becoming more and more popular as people feel overwhelmed by the pace of their lives, but not many can actually handle being completely off grid.

What does off grid even mean these days? Will there be no electricity? Will there be a toilet? To really get an idea of how much you can handle actually roughing it, we are going to take a look at what off grid travel can actually mean.

Off grid doesn’t always mean no modern conveniences

Off grid can sometimes mean that the property is not hooked up to the city or county services. Luckily, there are ways to make a modern system without needing to.

If you want that place way out in the woods, but don’t want to have to live by candlelight then look for places that have electricity through solar panels. Many cabins now have a solar panel system that even includes battery packs so if there is not much sun you still have electric lights and maybe even a dishwasher.

Water can come from a well and if there is an electric pump, you can enjoy a nice hot shower thanks to the solar panels.

There are many options for those that want to get off the beaten path but still expect a level of comfort. You should definitely make sure that the place where you are staying doesn’t have any internet so that you can actually do a digital detox. You don’t need to go live in a cave to get away from your emails and social media, but if there is internet there, then you end up losing your vacation to the time spent on your devices.

Go on a guided camping trip

If you are not used to being out in the middle of nowhere and needing to pitch a tent, then you could be a perfect candidate to go on a guided camping trip. The benefits of camping are enormous when you are living a high tech life and find the pace exhausting. Getting out in nature will recharge the batteries just from the fresh air and silence alone.

But when you are on a camping trip, there are far more ways to recharge without plugging in. It is one thing to relax and listen to the sounds of nature for a change of pace. When you also add in the sense of accomplishment by staying occupied with tasks at hand. You have to do things for this trip to work and you aren’t catered to like you are in a hotel or resort.

Though you have the help of the guide and some crew, you are also expected to pull your own weight. Which means that you can feel like you actually did something on your trip. Then add in the excursions like kayaking and bird watching that will also be a lot of fun.

Go on a retreat

Another way to detox your digital addiction is to go on a retreat that offers yoga and meditation. Many of these types of retreats are sort of off grid. They have the modern conveniences as you would expect, but they tend to not offer internet and TV so you aren’t tempted to plug in at any point.

Furthering the detox mission is that you will be doing activities that are totally restorative. The point isn’t just to have a break from your fast paced and digital world, but to try to reconnect your mind to your body and bring that healing back to your old life for a while.

When you go on a yoga retreat, you are given the tools you need to disconnect from the world and go inward to heal yourself. These tools can be used at anytime and anywhere so long after the retreat is over, you can find time to incorporate the same routines into your daily life.

Do you really need a digital detox?

While a vacation to get away from your over-dependence is a great idea, it isn’t the end of the story. You will really need to rethink your relationship with technology and find a way to balance so you never need to go cold turkey again.

One thing to realize is that social media is not bad in and of itself. It can be quite useful. And email is a very important part of our professional and personal lives and can’t be given up.

What works best, is mindfulness. Being aware of when you’re overdoing things is essential to living a happy and healthy life. This is true for anything that you do in abundance. From overeating to not exercising enough, there are many aspects of our lives that need to be balanced out.

Try to set up your email account with an auto-responder so when you are not at work, you aren’t being alerted to any new emails. If it is work related, it can wait until you get back to work to respond.

And social media platforms can be muted. Turn off the notifications so you aren’t drawn to browse your accounts when you get notified that somebody posted something. And you may even want to delete some of your profiles. Stick to one or two platforms that you actually find some value in that is not simply just a time waster.

Delete all the video games from your devices and only use them for things that need to be done so you are not tempted to waste time that could be spent going for a walk or meeting a friend for dinner.

July 28, 2020
How to Make Milk Tea at Home “The Serenitea Way”
Who isn’t up for a nice cup of milk tea these days? Love it, hate it, or you haven’t tried it at all (*gasps*) – there’s no mistaking that milk tea is still trending until now. Unlike many trends that have come and gone, the milk tea craze won’t seem to be cooling down anytime soon.

Milk Tea Obsession

Did you know that Southeast Asians drink at least 4 cups of bubble tea per person each month? Thailand ranking at the top with 6 cups per person, and the Philippines following in close second with 5 cups. :O

According to a recent study, “the bubble tea industry is expected to grow by almost $2 billion to a whopping $4.3 billion by 2027.” Nowadays, milk tea stores continue to diversify their menus with different flavors, tea bases, chewy additives, and other creative ingredients.

There’s something special about having these drinks in their original form from the store. Now with the community quarantine, we usually have them delivered via the major food delivery apps. The con? Sometimes our craving hits too early in the morning or too late at night that these shops are still or already closed. The good news? Serenitea now offers DIY milk tea kits so milk tea lovers can enjoy their Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea or Taro Lover no matter what time of day, without even leaving home.

Serenitea Express: Serenitea DIY Home Kits

Given the limited number of open stores during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period, Serenitea could not cater to the milk tea cravings of loyal customers and milk tea lovers. To better serve those who prefer (or are forced) to stay at home, Serenitea Express was launched in April 18, 2020. With Serenitea Express, you can recreate the Serenitea experience at home with DIY (do-it-yourself) home kits.

Serenitea DIY Home Kits consist of instant drink mixes and ingredients. These are available at select Serenitea stores, online stores, third party deliveries (Happy Move), pabili services (Joyride), and the country’s most popular online shopping platforms, Lazada and Shopee.

How to Make Milk Tea at Home “The Serenitea Way”

I got the 3-in-1 Okinawa Home Kit D. Inside the kit, there are 15 sachets of 3-in-1 Okinawa Milk Tea (55g per sachet) and 2 packs of uncooked pearls (500g per pack).

Instructions:

1. Cook the pearls.
1. Boil water. Water capacity should be two times the weight of the pearls. For example, if you’re cooking 500g of pearls, water should be 1000ml.
2. Pour pearls once water is boiling. Use an egg beater to spread out the pearls.
3. Cooking time is 5 to 10 minutes depending on your preferred pearl texture. I cooked mine for 10 minutes and the pearls turned out chewy. They’re bouncy, soft, and fun to munch on, much like chewing gum.
4. Next, rinse the pearl in running water until pearls cool down. Use filtered water as much as possible.
5. Drain out all the water.
Optional: Add sugar syrup or washed sugar as preferred into the pearl and mix well. I didn’t add any sweetener because I know the milk tea mix will already be sweet enough for my liking.

2. Prepare the milk tea.
1. Tear off sachet and pour the milk tea mix into a cup or a glass.
2. Pour about 350ml of hot water and stir until powder has completely dissolved.
3. If you want it cold, fill with ice up to 90% of the cup or glass.
3. Assemble the milk tea with the pearls.

Pour some pearls and mix well to combine and taste for sweetness. If desired, add additional sugar or sweetener, then serve with large straws or long spoons.

How to Make the Sweet, Rich, and Creamy Taro Lover

I got the Taro Lover Home Kit C, which contains 1kg of taro ready-mix powder and 1kg of panna cotta powder.

Instructions:

1. Prep the panna cotta at least two to four hours ahead of time.
1. Boil water. When water is boiling, pour the panna cotta powder and stir until it dissolves. Turn off heat. Note that the cooking ratio is 1:5, or like 200g of panna cotta powder and 1000ml water.
2. Pour in a heat-proof try or small cups (for individual portions). Set aside to cool and set. I placed the glass tray inside the refrigerator and waited for four hours.
2. Mix taro powder with milk.
1. Pour powder into a cup. Dissolve 50g (or 3 tablespoons) of taro powder in a 7-oz. hot water.
2. Add either 15 to 20g of powdered milk or 100g of fresh milk to the dissolved taro mixture.
3. Add sugar to taste and ice cubes.
3. Put them together.

Scoop in some panna cotta into the glass and stir several times to swirl the milk and the taro drink together. Enjoy your Taro Lover while cold. Pinkies up!

Should you try it?

Yes! If you love drinking milk tea or an ube-flavored “taro” ice drink and especially if you miss Serenitea, then Serenitea Express is for you. Serenitea drinks are generally tasty and can be a substitute to a snack. The ingredients are simple, and the instructions are easy to follow. Since I was able to do it, for sure, you can do it, too! 🙂

Things to Know:
- There are 8 bundle sets with combinations of sinkers to match your preferences.
- Each instant mix sachet is equivalent to one 16-oz serving and can be served either hot or cold.
- One kit can make approximately 15 cups.
- Instructions on how to prepare the drinks and sinkers are included in the kits.
Price List:
- Okinawa 3 in 1 (15 sachets) – P699
- Okinawa 3 in 1 (15 sachets) + Egg Pudding (1kg.) – P1,299
- Okinawa 3 in 1 (15 sachets) + Panna Cotta (1kg) – P 1,199
- Okinawa 3 in 1 (15 sachets) + Pearl (2 packs of 500 grams) – P1,099
- Taro Powder (1kg.) + Okinawa 3 in 1 (15 sachets) – P1,299
- Taro Powder (1kg) + Egg Pudding (1kg) – P1,299
- Taro Powder (1kg) + Panna Cotta (1kg) – P1,199
- Taro Powder (1kg) + Pearl (2 packs of 500 grams) – P1,099
With the Serenitea DIY Home Kits, everyone can enjoy the Serenitea experience at the comfort of their own home. Have fun making your favorite drinks with your family!

Bonus: With a minimum single receipt purchase of P700, you can get a free limited-edition #SereniteaXPacMan reusable tumbler until August 15, 2020.

To know more and to keep updated on the latest promos and activities, like Serenitea on Facebook and follow @iloveserenitea and #SereniteaAtHome on Instagram and Twitter.
July 23, 2020
Guided Tour Or Independent Travel? Which Works Best For You?

There is no set way to travel. Everybody has their preferred way and there isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.

With that said, if you are a travel newbie, then how do you know what is going to work best for you? Some prefer taking matters into their own hands and doing things on their schedule and going off the beaten path. Others like things to be planned out down to the last detail and don’t like surprises.

In this article, we will explore these two distinct ways to travel so you can decide for yourself which is the best way forward.

Guided Tour Or Independent Travel? Which Works Best For You?

Guided tours

There are a lot of benefits to taking guided or package tours if you are a new traveler. You have everything taken care of for you so you don’t have to stress about finding the right place to stay or trying to research the best things to do. You already know that you will be taken to the must see places in the area where you want to travel.

Accommodations are also included and you know that you will be staying in a place with easy access and comfort without having to call around and try to book a hotel in all the places you plan to visit.

The downside is a lack of control. You are totally in the hands of the tour organizer and you may not like some of the decisions being made on your behalf. Maybe the accommodations are not to your liking. Or, you are rushed when you get to the sites you looked forward to visiting.

Also, it is hard to get off the beaten path and get away from the crowds when you are on a package tour. These tours are organized to bring you to the hot spots as that is what everybody wants to see.

There is a middle ground solution, however if you book escorted motorhome tours. In this scenario you are staying in your own RV that is provided by the company. They provide itineraries to the best places to visit and also allow you to do some travel on your own. It’s the best of both worlds.

Independent travel

Traveling on your own is a great way to immerse yourself in a culture that you plan to visit. You can stay in areas away from the tourist crowds and find those hidden gems that aren’t covered by the major tour operators.

You aren’t locked into a certain type of accommodation and are free to linger as long as you like in an area before moving on according to your own schedule.

The downside, however, is that it can be a lot of work to find the right places to go. If you are not an experienced traveler, then expect to have a lot of mistakes made.

If you don’t mind mistakes or consider them advantages that may work out in your favor, then being an independent traveler is the way to go. You may even save some money in the long run, too.

July 7, 2020
Get Off the Beaten Track in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is famous for its incredible sunsets

Los Angeles is an incredibly popular destination for travellers and its not hard to see why. Blessed with a beautiful landscape, stunning architecture, balmy summers and a thriving community, its the kind of place that anyone would want to spend a summer vacation. Of course, because of this, some of the spots which once seemed so special have now become tourist traps, where a little of the charm is lost. If you want to experience the real LA then here are some highlights.

Fall in Love with The Sunken City

No trip to LA is complete without a romantic sunset and there are going to be plenty in this list! The Sunken City is just as intriguing as it sounds; all the way back in 1929 a landslide dragged part of this cliffside neighbourhood down into the ocean. At the peak of the movement the houses were sinking 11 inches each day. Now there are just the ruins left and whilst it might sound a bit more post-apocalyptic than romantic, it really is quite a special sight. Catch an Uber to Long Beach to get a look at the remains; just as the sun is setting is the best time as many locals make their way down to light bonfires and hang out. Bring a couple of bottles of beer and settle in for a few hours – there’s always music being played somewhere so you’re bound to meet some new people.

Watch the Game at Barney’s

With both the Clippers and the Lakers making some serious ripples in the NBA at the moment, it’s looking likely that it could be an entirely LA based showdown for the championship title. It’s no big surprise to see the Lakers looking likely winners (alongside the Boston Celtics they own almost half of the titles), but for the Clippers it would be the first time in history. Whatever happens, the place to watch it is Barney’s Beanery. Although there are a few joints around town now, the original West Hollywood location has been packed out on game days ever since the 60’s and shows no sign of slowing down now.

Visit Griffith Park Zoo

Animal lovers, prepare to be disappointed. Griffith’s Zoo has long since been abandoned and you’re unlikely to find anything more exotic than a few pigeons here. However, the abandoned cages are great fun to explore. Local artists have taken over the zoo as a public art gallery and amazing graffiti covers every wall. It’s a slightly haunting experience when you stop to think about the previous life of this abandoned exhibit, made all the more special by the wonderful artwork. It’s worth packing a picnic to enjoy in Griffith’s Park once you’ve finished, as it’s a beautiful spot on a sunny summer’s day.

Spot a Ghost at Clifton’s Republic

This Broadway bar and restaurant is not only the home of some delicious food and delectable cocktails, it’s also the home of Clifford Clinton’s lifelong mistress – well, her ghost anyway. When he founded the restaurant back in the Great Depression, his vision was to give back to the community by offering a pay-as-you-feel policy to hungry workers. Whilst this aspect of his personality was charming and charitable, there was another side to his life which was less so: his extra-marital affairs.

Throughout the running of the restaurant, his mistress became progressively more and more obsessed with Clifford, until on her death she asked for her ashes to be scattered at the restaurant. During it’s restoration in 2015 workers were often shocked to see Clifford’s mistress walking the floors, still dressed in her jazz age clothing.

Whether you are fortunate enough to bump into Clifford’s mistress or not, it’s still worth making the journey. The decor here is wacky but charming. An enchanted forest theme now runs throughout, with plant tendrils and vines hanging from the ceiling, flickering lanterns and the occasional taxidermy animal peeking from under a table. As well as the interior, the food is particularly good.

The ‘Angel Eggs’ are truly a little mouthful of heaven – three perfectly deviled eggs, topped with candied bacon, home dried chili and spiked with chives. If you feel like really pigging out (pardon the pun) then the Tahitian pork is a must try. The pork is smoked in-house for 8 hours until it’s melting apart. It’s then served with a smokey charred red onion and shredded cabbage slaw, a slice of sweet grilled pineapple and a Polynesian bun to round off the dish. Delicious.

Marvel at the Watts Towers

These towers are an unusual feat of art, design and engineering. Built by Simon Rodia, these towers were once just an art project, but after 30 years in the making they quickly became something of a national landmark. The towers are made almost entirely from found materials and Rodia’s own concrete mix.

When he began construction, nobody, including Rodia, knew exactly what the plan was but after the foundations were completed Rodia began building rapidly. Now the seventeen towers intertwine like a jungle of vines, all decorated intricately with found objects. Bottles, ceramic tiles, seashells, figurines, and mirrors come together in a magpie’s heaven to create something truly awe inspiring.

See if you can spot the lights of Hollywood from this scenic drive.

It’s got to be time for another sunset by now! Although Mulholland Drive is relatively well known compared to the rest of the list, it still deserves a mention because it’s so darn beautiful. Pick a clear night and maybe consider renting a moped as the drive up here is really something special.

Pick your way up the mountain road through the Santa Monica Mountains and don’t be afraid to stop to take in the views of the San Fernando Valley along the way. Once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with what is quite possibly the best view of L.A. in existence; see if you can spot the Hollywood Bowl and the lights of the beach front. The drive will take a good couple of hours if you leave yourself a little time to stop and take in the views.

Sunset is a great time to go, but make sure you stay until it’s properly dark as the star gazing from up there is truly out of this world.

June 26, 2020
Pizza X Frozen Pizza: A Tasty Xperience

Handmade pizza is one of the trending food that emerged during the Covid 19 community quarantine. While in lockdown, some people made this “culinary treat” so good both in their Instagram feeds and in real life that they decided to open up a business. Pizza X shares the same story. Everything is made in-house, using the best, quality ingredients.

At Pizza X, things are kept simple. The size is small at six inches, relatively smaller than the regular pizza you can buy from popular pizza restaurant chains, but it’s enough for one child to finish one whole (or two if he’s extra hungry)! I think that’s the whole point of Pizza X—making pizza an exciting and delectable snack for kids while they’re stuck at home. 🙂

Lance eating 1/4 slice of Xtra Cheesy

Pizza X Variants: We got all six variants, namely: Pesto Xcellency, Pepperoni Xplosion, Xtra Cheesy, Tropical Xperience, Xtreme Angus, and Mexican Fix. Notice that the names all have X’s, all consistent with their branding.

My top 2 favorites at Pizza X: Pesto Xcellency and Pepperoni Xplosion

What I love about Pizza X: The thin-but-not-too-thin crust is the exact right balance of soft and crunchy. It’s light but doesn’t sag and holds up the right balance of sauce, cheese, and toppings. The pizzas aren’t greasy and they’re just what you’ll want to have as an afternoon snack while watching Netflix or working from home. ❤

Since they arrive frozen, you can make a big stack and you’ll always have good food at the ready. No need to prep for long hours in the kitchen! They’re a wonderful meal to keep in your freezer. Simply place the frozen pizza in the microwave for a minute or two, or bake it in the oven until it’s cooked to your liking. The cheese melts beautifully at the center. Yum!

Tropical Xperience

Xtra Cheesy

Pizza X presented in individual packages: ready to eat + super quick preparation even kids can do 😉

Cooking Instructions for Regular Oven and for Toasters

Ready to bake in the oven!

Craving for pizza now? Contact Pizza X at 0966 628 4798 or order through their online order form here. You may also message them through Facebook, and while you’re at it, check out the many video reviews of adorable kids on their page. 🙂 Pickup and delivery are available. Pizza X is based in New Manila and Greenhills, Philippines.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBnsCQ2nlHv/

June 19, 2020