FROM FARM TO TABLE: GREEN PASTURES (Net Park, Taguig City, Philippines)

I had a scheduled meeting with someone in the Net Park area and arrived an hour before the designated time so I invited my companion to have a quick but not-so-sinful snack and we chose a casual dining and organic restaurant called Green Pastures, owned by Chef Robby Goco of Cyma, Charlie’s Grind and Grill, and Tequila Joe’s fame.

It is located at the ground floor of Net Park along 5^th Avenue, in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

It is open from 8 am till 10 pm.

For this restaurant, Chef Robbie offers healthy American and European homemade dishes which are made from fresh, organic, gluten-free and probiotic ingredients. Green Pastures also has 2 other branches: Eastwood Mall (in Bagumbayan, Quezon City) and (Level 4, East Wing) Shangri-la Plaza Mall (in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City).

We opted for outdoor dining despite the modern farm house interiors, ordered their Homemade Burrata (a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream), served with toasted bread, and requested it to be served fast so we need not hurry eating it and I won’t be late for my meeting. It came as promised by the waitress and it had a simple yet appealing presentation.

The texture of the bread complemented the softness and freshness of the cheese, served with Mt. Atok (in the province of Benguet) organic strawberries, cherry tomatoes and basil oil. It was priced at 430 pesos and was worth it! The cold refreshing drinks, Organic Dalandan Juice (juice of the tangy, Filipino variety of a citrus fruit) and Iced Tea with Organic Honey (small, 120 pesos each), were a welcome treat too!

This is not a sponsoired post. I paid for this snack and all the comments are based on my dining experience. I will definitely go back to try the other items in the menu!

Did you find this post informative? Have you also experienced dining at Green Pastures in any of its branches? I would like to hear from you.

See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Traveler – Now You Know, Short and Simple, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!

Remember to share this post with your friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.

I Need My Jamba Fix!

Location: Burgos Eats¹, Burgos Circle², Rizal Drive corner 29^th Street, Bonifacio Global City³, Taguig City⁴, Metro Manila⁵, Philippines

I don’t know about you, Senior Citizens, but this Senior Promdi⁶ needs a Jamba Fix whenever she goes to Metro Manila⁵! My favorite (3 year old) Jamba Juice⁷ store is located in Burgos Eats¹, Burgos Circle², Bonifacio Global City³, open from 7 am – 11 pm daily.

This Texas-based restaurant was founded in California in 1990 and has almost 900 stores worldwide. It specializes in made-to-order smoothies⁸, freshly squeezed juices and other related and nourishing treats made from all natural ingredients containing antioxidants⁹, minerals and vitamins. Its products have no artificial flavors, preservatives, trans fat¹⁰, and high-fructose corn syrup¹¹.

Five years ago, Max’s Group, Inc.¹² obtained the Jamba Juice⁷ franchise in the Philippines. It has 20 locations in Metro Manila⁵ to-date. Click “Find a Store” in their official website: www.jambajuice.ph

It offers 6 types of products: smoothies⁸ (all fruit, boosted, classic, creamy treat, fruits & veggies, super food), energy bowls, freshly squeezed juices, steel-cut oatmeal, hydrating fruit refreshers, and baked goods. Click on “Menu + Nutrition” in the said website.

I’m a berry and peanut butter foodie so I have 3 favorites (although I haven’t tried all their products):

*Mixed Berry Energy Bowl – a healthy yet delicious bowl made of a nutritious blend of fresh Greek yogurt¹³ and soymilk, topped with fresh banana slices, blueberries, and strawberries and dry toppings; this is my yummy healthy snack when I want a big fix!

Photo from Jamba Juice

*Banana Berry Classic Smoothie – a smoothie⁸ made of 100% real fruits (banana, blueberry and raspberry sherbet) and (apple and strawberry) juices blended-to-order with frozen yogurt, available in 16, 22 and 30 oz. I order either a 16 or 22 oz, depending on my craving and appetite. Berry lovers, watch out, this is addicting!

*Peanut Butter Moo’d – a creamy smoothie⁸ made of peanut butter, banana, frozen yogurt, soymilk and their secret chocolate moo-d base, also available in 16, 22 and 30 oz. I am so sure that the seniors who love peanut butter will go crazy with this product!

Photo by Jamba Juice

For optimum nutrition, you can request any of the ff. to be added for a minimal cost: cayenne powder (free), chia seeds¹⁴, Greek yogurt¹³, kale¹⁵, soy protein¹⁶, whey protein¹⁷, 3G energy¹⁸, and daily vitamin+zinc.

If you have any food allergies (dairy, soy, fruits, peanuts, other nuts, wheat, etc.), inform the Jamba Juice⁷ staff who can tell you what is best for you. BTW, thanks to: Lyn-lyn Servanda and Tantan Cantre (Shift Leaders), Chingkee Olivera (Team Member) and Je Sabilao (Custodian). Contact cell no.: 0949-889-8065.

Does this make me a Jambassador? It doesn’t matter, this ordinary senior citizen just loves Jamba Juice!

Thank you to the Jamba Juice crew!

This is not a sponsored post. I paid for my visit in this restaurant.

Did you find this post informative? Do you like Jamba Juice too? Do you know similar establishments that you want me to feature? I would like to hear from you. Just scroll to the upper right corner of this post and click “Leave a comment”.

See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Traveler – Now You Know, Short and Simple, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!

Don’t forget to follow me by clicking the “Follow” bar at the bottom right corner of your gadget. Thank you.

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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially non-Filipinos, those with “Senior-Moments”, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:

¹Burgos Eats is a stand-alone 2,000 sq.m. building which houses 5 restaurants brands of the Max’s Group¹²: Jamba Juice, Krispy Kreme, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy and Yellow Cab, located at Burgos Circle², Rizal Drive corner 29^th Street, Bonifacio Global City³, Taguig City⁴. It offers a multi-format dining in a shared space, featuring different flavors and outlet options to choose from. Customers are free to buy whatever they want from one store and eat/drink them in another outlet. In fact, if the store is not busy, you can ask the wait staff to get something for you in another outlet, ain’t that great, Seniors? It also offers a spacious communal area for people who want to dine al fresco.

 ²Burgos Circle is an enclave, near Serendra and Bonifacio High Street, in Bonifacio Global City³, complete with residential condominiums, restaurants, and a small park at its center.

 ³Bonifacio Global City, BGC, The Fort, or Global City, is a financial district in Taguig City⁴, Metro Manila⁵, which used to be part of the main Philippine Army camp called Fort Bonifacio. It is home to residential condominiums (8 Forbes Town Road, Bellagio, Bonifacio Ridge Twin Towers, Essensa, One McKinley Place, Pacific Plaza Towers, Regent Parkway, Serendra, and The Luxe Residences) and corporate office buildings (Bonifacio Technology Center and Net One). It also offers: Bonifacio High Street (the central retail and entertainment hub), Forbes Town Center (a Megaworld township community), Heritage Park (a memorial park), McKinley Hill (with condominiums and 3 international schools), McKinley West (a Megaworld township by 2019), North Bonifacio (Federal Land’s district), and Uptown Bonifacio (a residential and commercial property). NOTE: Makati City¹⁹ and the municipality of Pateros²⁰ are disputing jurisdiction. Visit its website:www.bgc.com.ph

 ⁴Taguig City, according to the Wikipedia page, “Taguig ” accessed November 11, 2017,  is a highly urbanized city located in the south-eastern part of Metro Manila⁵, Philippines. It is bordered by Makati¹⁹, Pasig and Pateros²⁰ to the north, Pasay to the west, Parañaque to the southwest, Muntinlupa to the south, and Cainta and Taytay on the northeast. SOURCE: “Taguig,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taguig.

 ⁵Metro Manila, according to the Wikipedia page, “Metro Manila” accessed November 11, 2017, is the official and administrative urban area in the southwestern portion of Luzon surrounding Manila, established in 1975 through Presidential Decree No. 824. It is the capital region of the Philippines, the seat of government, and is officially called the National Capital Region (NCR), composed of 16 cities (Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Makati¹⁹, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Novotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig⁴, Valenzuela) and the municipality of Pateros²⁰. It is the center of culture, economy, education and government of the Philippines. SOURCE: “Metro Manila,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila.

 ⁶Senior Promdi is my term for a senior citizen “from the province”.

 ⁷The Jamba Juice Company is a restaurant retailer with headquarters in Frisco, Texas, founded in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1990 by Kirk Perron. It has almost 900 locations: in the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Its product range include: juices,smoothies⁸, artisan hummus toast with vegetables, homemade potato chips, quinoa²¹ bowls, and vegan foods. Visit its website: www.jambajuice.com

⁸A smoothie is a thick beverage made from blended fresh fruits and/or vegetables, fruit juice/s, sweetener/s (sugar, honey, syrup, artificial sweetener), dairy product/s (cottage cheese, milk, whey powder, yogurt), crushed ice, water and other ingredients (chocolate, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, nuts, seeds, tea).

⁹An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits the oxidation of cells. It could refer to vitamin C or E, or beta-carotene, that neutralizes and removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents or free radicals from the blood stream. Since our body cannot keep up with antioxidant production, a good amount of these enzymes, minerals, phytochemicals and vitamins must come from our diet: (1) to add protection for our body against eye, heart, immune system, memory and mood problems; (2) to slow the effects of aging by reducing free radical damage; (3) to reduce the effects of aging on the skin; and, (3) to reduce the risk of cancer. Examples of good sources are: artichoke, blackberries, cilantro, cocoa, cranberries, dark chocolate, elder berries, garlic, goji berries, green tea, kidney beans, leafy green vegetables, pecans, wild blueberries, and spices (basil, cayenne powder, cinnamon, clove, cumin, dried parsley, ginger, oregano, thyme and turmeric).

¹⁰Trans fat, according to the Wikipedia page, “Trans fat” accessed November 11, 2017, is a type of unsaturated fat that occurs in small amounts in nature. It is present in: animal fat, bread and cake products, butter, cake frostings, cookies, crackers, fried fast food items, ground beef, margarine, salty snack food, spreads and whole milk. It is said to be associated with coronary artery disease when one regularly eats food rich in transfat. SOURCE: “Trans fat,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat.

 ¹¹High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), according to the Wikipedia page, “High-fructose corn syrup” accessed November 11, 2017, is a sweetener made from corn starch. It is similar to granulated sugar but easier to handle, sweeter and cheaper, so it is used in a variety of products like processed foods and sweetened drinks. The process of making HFCS separates fructose from glucose so the former goes directly to the liver, makes it fat, resulting to lipogenesis (fatty liver) and this is said to eventually lead to: cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, obesity, strokes and weight gain. SOURCE: “High-fructose corn syrup,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup.

¹²Max’s Group is the largest casual dining restaurant company in the Philippines consisting of the following: Max’s Restaurant (known for its friend chicken), Pancake House, the Chicken Rice Shop (a casual dining Malaysian restaurant), Dencio’s (a Filipino grill restaurant), Jamba Juice⁷ (for healthy yogurt drinks/concoctions), Kabisera (a  restaurant), Krispy Kreme (a doughnut and coffee shop), Le Coeur De France (a premium bakery), Maple, Max’s Corner Bakery, Meranti Hotel (a boutique hotel in Quezon City), Singkit (a Chinese restaurant), Sizzling Pepper Steak, Teriyaki Boy, Yellow Cab (for pizza), among others. Visit its website: www.maxsgroupinc.com

 ¹³Greek yogurt, according to the Wikipedia page, “Greek yogurt” accessed November 11, 2017, is sourish yogurt that has been strained to remove most of its whey to produce a thicker consistency and has a higher protein density, less sugar and more carbs than regular yogurt. It is also called strained yogurt, yogurt cheese or labaneh. Its acidity also makes it easier for our body to absorb other nutrients. SOURCE: “Greek yogurt,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_yogurt.

 ¹⁴Kale, or leaf cabbage, has erect stems with large, green/purple, tightly coarse/curly/wrinkled leaves and no compact head. It is tough and bitter when raw but tastes good when prepared the right way. Its benefits include: bone repair and enhancement, brain development in infancy (for pregnant women), cancer prevention, cardiovascular support, detoxification, fatigue removal, inflammation relief, overall immune system boost, skin and vision improvement.

 ¹⁵Soy protein is a plant-based protein from soybeans, enjoyed by vegans and vegetarians. It is a good source of protein, amino acids, fiber, isoflavones, lecithin, vitamins and minerals (B-complex, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin E and zinc).

 ¹⁶Whey protein, according to the Wikipedia page, “Whey protein” accessed November 11, 2017, is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. It is said to be beneficial to our health: with easily absorbable amino acids; for increased strength; gain in muscle and loss in body fat; and fights cancer, depression, high blood pressure and blood sugar and HIV. It is converted to powder form and added to shakes, meal replacements and protein bars. It is usually (chocolate, strawberry or vanilla) flavored since it does not taste good on its own. SOURCE: “Whey protein,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whey_protein.

 ¹⁷Chia seed, according to the Wikipedia page, “Chia seed” accessed November 11, 2017, is the small, oval, 1 mm diameter, mottle-colored (with black, brown, gray and white) seed obtained from Salvia hispanica, used medicinally and added to other food/drinks (bread, breakfast cereal, energy bar, granola bar, smoothie, tortilla and yogurt). It: is rich in omega-3 fatty acids/protein and an excellent source of antioxidants; it boosts one’s mood; enhances one’s workout; increases one’s energy levels; maintains cardiovascular health; manages blood sugar levels; promotes healthy digestion;  and, stimulates weight loss. SOURCE: “Chia seed,” accessed November 11, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chia_seed.

 ¹⁸3G energy of Jamba Juice⁷ is an energy booster which is made of a combination of green tea, ginseng (a tonic and medicinal Asian plant tuber) and guarana (a tonic/stimulating substance prepared from the seeds of a Brazilian shrub). It contains 120 mg of caffeine.

 ¹⁹Makati is a city in Metro Manila⁵ which is known as the financial center of the Philippines. Major banks, department stores, embassies, local and multinational corporations are located in this city. It is called “The Financial Center of the Philippines” and “The Wall Street of the Philippines”. It became a city in 1955 and is composed of 33 barangays (the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines). Visit its website: www.makati.gov.ph

 ²⁰Pateros is the smallest, first-class municipality in Metro Manila⁵, Philippines, famous for its duck-raising industry and resulting products like balut (Filipino, boiled, 14-21-day old duck’s egg eaten hot, from the shell). It is bordered by Pasig to the north, Makati¹⁹ to the west and Taguig⁴ to the south. It is called “The Balut Capital of the Philippines”, “Home of the World Famous Balut” and “The Small Town with a Big Heart”. Visit its Facebook account: Municipal Government of Pateros.

 ²¹Quinoa is a protein-packed, 2-mm (in diameter) grain/seed which promotes healthy tissue growth in our bodies. Its color varies, from white to red or black. It is gluten-free²² and easy to digest. It also contains calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and vitamins B and E. It can be taken: during breakfast, mixed with cinnamon, dried fruit and a sweetener; as a side dish with a small amount of butter or oil, salt and pepper, or other seasonings; as an ingredient in baked products as a wheat-free alternative like in breads and muffins; as a substitute for bulgur wheat, couscous and rice (like a pilaf and paired with beans, curries, chili and stir-fries); or, as a main course (meat-free burger, salad or stew). NOTE: Quinoa contains all the 9 essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine) so it is a complete protein source.

²²Gluten-free means the food does not contain gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat and related grains (like barley, oats, rye). Gluten is reputed to cause health problems for people with gluten-related disorders (e.g., celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, gluten ataxia, HIV enteropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and wheat allergy).