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SHINE BRIGHTER. Our goal is to live better and be better.

Author Archives: The GEM

Join Us Feb. 11th for a FREE IMMUNITY SHOT!

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We’re turning 10 years YOUNG this year, and to celebrate, we’re going all out! See what we’ve got in store as a special “thank you” to you, our wonderful, glowing GEMs!


#SHININGBRIGHT IN DALLAS FOR 10 WHOLE YEARS! READ OUR STORY.


Giving this wonderful community of ours a place to #ShineBrighter has been our mission since opening our doors in 2012—and we’re thrilled to be embarking on our TENTH year of business, still committed to being your source for organic goodness and disco happiness. 

To celebrate our big anniversary, join us for a FREE IMMUNITY SHOT ON Friday, February 11th at both our locations, where we’ll be giving out complimentary shots to ALL GEM CUSTOMERS! 

Help us spread the word by sharing this with a friend, and tag us in your social media posts! 

#TheGEMTurns10 #CheersTo10Years 


12 Teen Summer Snack Ideas for Original G·E·M·S!

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As parents of teenagers and young adults ourselves, we know firsthand how challenging it can be to convince your kids to keep on the straight-and-narrow when it comes to eating right. So we’re offering our tried and true Eat Clean food rules catered to teens who want to look good and feel even BETTER — the basis of our Original G·E·M·S Life program. Check out our top recommendations below for helping your teen eat clean.


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Preparation is the name of the game when getting our kids to eat clean. While it’s likely they will never straight up ask for cucumbers and hummus, your teens will snack on what’s in front of them, so having healthy options on deck is a must!

My go-to healthy options make staying true to Original G·E·M·S Life easy for our teens at home. They’re what I call my “Jedi Mind Trick Snack Plates”…fun-looking, health-filled plates with a little bit of everything on them. Before they’ve even realized it, my teens are gobbling up organic veggies and nutrient-filled bites like it was their idea.

Try some of my favorite at-home snack plate ideas for your teens this summer!

12 Healthy Summer Snacks for Teens

  • Be-A-GEM Platter: Made with our fave grab-and-go options, including The GEM’s hummus with jalapeno pesto, our Vegan Ranch and Sami’s Flax Chips served along with snap peas and Sunset’s Sugar Bombs grape tomatoes. This plate is a hit for obvious reasons.
  • Netflix & Healthy Platter: Here’s one for the movie buffs—organic popcorn made on the stove top with coconut oil and sea salt, peanuts, pistachios, and Healthy Chex Mix from Unrefined Bakery (this stuff is the BOMB!).
  • Taste the Rainbow Platter: Take watermelon cubes, Cuties oranges, kiwis, blueberries, frozen grapes, and some mini marshmallows for clouds (brands like Smash Mallow or Dandies are our go-to).
  • Piatto d’Italia: Take a quick trip over the pond and into Italy with an array of olives, nitrate-free sliced salami, toasted almonds, sliced red peppers, parmesan chunks, and steamed artichoke. Go even further and make mini pizzas with whole grain English muffins, marinara and mozzarella. Buon appetito!
  • Mexican Fiesta Plate: Made with fresh GEM Pico de Gallo, guacamole and our 3 Bean Salad and served with Siete Tortilla Chips. Make quick and easy quesadillas by adding leftover seasoned taco meat or organic rotisserie chicken for quick access and using whole wheat tortillas. Look for brands that just have simple ingredients (hit: Mission is NOT it!). 
  • Veggie Lovin’ Platter: Served with steamed broccoli, GEM Vegan Ranch, sliced cucumbers and carrots marinated in lime juice and salt (this is an important step!). 
  • Let’s Do Brunch Platter: Make toasted waffles cut into triangles and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, served alongside boiled eggs, Alyssa’s oatmeal cookies (sold at The GEM!), and Applegate Farms chicken sausage links. 
  • Open-Faced Avo Toast Plate: Serve avocado toast with lemon, cayenne, sea salt, PBJ, and toasted cheese—all cut into small squares.
  • At-Home Happy Jars: Organic Greek or plant-based yogurt (Siggi’s is my fave) parfaits made with Marge or Park Lane granola and berries, drizzled with honey. Save yourself some time by making a few of these at a time, storing them in small Mason jars. 
  • Asian Snack Plate: Get store bought California Rolls (Whole Foods and Central Market have the best!), AshaPops, sliced red bell peppers, GEM Collard Wraps, and steamed organic spicy edamame (with “Slap Your Mama” seasoning).
  • Baked Potato Bar: Keep potatoes on hand and with fun toppings. Use that leftover taco meat! Super simple, filling, AND healthy. 
  • Smoothie Station: Blend one frozen banana with a cup of dairy-free milk, raw cacao and organic peanut butter for a yummy treat. Or, pick up some of our ready-made Smoothie Kits at The GEM and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Your teens will LOVE you!

Help set your teen up for success by providing them with these healthy snack options. And don’t forget to lead by example! For more inspiration on keeping you and your family inspired to Eat Clean, check out our Original G·E·M·S Life inspiration page with tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules. 

By selecting one practice that resonates with you from one or all of all of the four Original G·E·M·S categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!


How to Help Your Teen Eat Clean with Original G·E·M·S

Posted on by The GEM and currently has 2 Comments on How to Help Your Teen Eat Clean with Original G·E·M·S

As parents, instilling healthy food habits is one of the best things we can do for our children. It’s obvious for us, but it can be difficult to get our teenagers to actually buy into this idea. And as moms of a few teenagers ourselves, we know firsthand the struggle is REAL.


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Fortunately, our Original G·E·M·S Life program isn’t just for grown ups looking to Shine Brighter — its practices are also perfectly catered to families who want to raise kids with healthy habits. And what better way to start than by introducing our Eat Clean practice ideas to try at home this summer with your teens?!

Why Eating Clean Matters to YOUR Teen!

Nutrition affects the trifecta of most-important things to our teens: athletics, academics, and appearance. Chances are your teenager cares about one or all three of these—so as a parent, you can influence your teen to want to eat clean by emphasizing the positive results that eating healthy will have on their athletic and academic performance and their appearance. For instance,

  • More green leafy vegetables, less dairy & sugar = fewer breakouts
  • A GEM smoothie before a game = better sports performance
  • Loaded protein breakfast = increased focus on tests

Still not getting through? Here’s what happens with regular consumption of inflammatory foods, such as fast food, sodas, fried junk, sugar, etc:

  • Acne. Breakouts. Zits.
  • Low energy, sluggishness.
  • Weight gain and obesity.
  • Inability to focus (caused by artificial dyes and lack of good fats and proteins).
  • Mood swings, anxiety, anger (food can be a BIG factor in managing our mood).

You’ve identified the problem, now give them the healthy solution!

3 Tips on Getting Your Teen Eat Clean

  • PLAN FOR QUALITY GREENS at every meal. Salads, sautéed broccoli, steamed artichokes…you get the gist. Add spinach into their smoothies. And keep it up, even if they turn their noses up! Eventually they will come around. Even ‘one bite’ is a start!
  • CLEAN OUT THE PANTRY. Throw out foods with ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORS and SWEETENERS immediately. These things are known to cause cancer, ADHD, allergies, and lots of other infuriating problems. Even replacing super bad junk with organic, non-GMO junk is a non-toxic step in the right direction. The simplest of foods like bread or tortillas have more chemicals than you can count, much less pronounce, so be sure to read the labels!
  • DUMP THE PROCESSED SUGAR. Sugar is the main culprit behind bad skin, bad moods, and bad performance. Let your teens know this—they will thank you!

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but by doing these three things on the reg, you can help them adopt a few good habits that will keep your teenagers thriving, healthy and happy—not just now, but straight into adulthood. It’s never too late to jump on the healthy disco train. But it all starts with YOU.

Want more tips on Eating Clean? Check out our Original G·E·M·S Life inspiration page with tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules to help keep your body at its best. By selecting a practice from one or all of the four Original G·E·M·S Life categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!


How To Eat Clean At Home with Original G·E·M·S Life

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Of course we love EVERYTHING we do here inside the GEM — but we can’t eat here for every meal! And that means some serious at-home recipe innovation to check off our daily EAT CLEAN practice!


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Eat Clean is our second Original G·E·M·S Life category, which includes our tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules that keep your body at its best. By selecting one practice that resonates with you from one or all of all of the four Original G·E·M·S categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!

Keep your body looking and feeling great with these quick-n-easy, healthy snacks for days you just can’t make it in to see us.

9 Easy Ways to Eat Clean at Home

  • VEGGIE DIP SNACK PLATE. Appetizer plate with a dip trio of hummus, vegan spicy ranch, and jalapeño pesto. Serve with cut veggies and gf chips.
  • SCRAMBLE À LA GEM. Add a touch of olive oil and sauté our Arugula Quinoa Salad with a couple of scrambled eggs. *Chef’s Kiss* delicious!
  • DINNER, QUICK! Our version of beans and rice: serve our Lentil Soup on a bed of our Classic Quinoa.
  • STUFFED AVOCADO. Fill half of an avocado with our Pico de Gallo and a vegan ranch dressing of your choice. Shazam!
  • TACO BOUT HEALTHY! Make your tacos even better and even go further by adding our Quinoa to cooked ground beef or turkey, taco seasoning and POW — you’ve got a healthy AND TASTY boost!!!
  • SPARKLING WATER HACK. Pour our Immunity Mix into ice cube trays for an added boost to your tea or sparkling water. Plus, it extends the life of your precious Immunity Shots!
  • AT-HOME CASHEW MILK LATTE. Take home our cold brew coffee and a cashew milk, then pour in a heating frother for an incredible latte on Sunday mornings!
  • SUB BONE BROTH FOR WATER. Make the most incredible rice with our Bone Broth. Use it in place of water — as much or as little as you like. I make mine with half broth, half water. For an exotic flair, use our Immunity Bone broth and add an extra teaspoon of turmeric. It is AWESOME!
  • ORDER AHEAD AT THE GEM. You can use our to-go snacks for meals. Just hit us up on our app!

But of course, if you’re too busy to cook at home or just prefer our in-store menu, pay us a visit for all of your #HonestlyOrganic smoothie, juice and green bites needs! See you in soon.


Checking In with YOU: Mental Health with Original G·E·M·S Life

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“What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it!” – Oprah Winfrey

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so let’s check in with ourselves. What has been on your mind lately? Are your thoughts making you feel joyful? Uneasy? Physically unwell? Our thoughts have a very direct impact on our mental (and even physical!) state, so it’s imperative we protect and intentionally nurture them constantly—even when things seem bleak and not-so-GEMmy!


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A dear friend of mine recently confided that she had been feeling generally unwell: exhausted, experiencing physical pain and generally sick. After visits with two different holistic practitioners, she was surprised to hear them both suggest the same thing: the problems perhaps lay in the emotional, spiritual and psychological realms—not in the “medical” or physical at all! She was shocked. 

Their recommendations were clear, simple and intentional: purposely work to change her thoughts and begin her day with positive practices. WHAT?

Nobody’s Perfect, But You DO Have to Work It!

My friend went deeper and shared more about how she was feeling, even confessing that MY social media post the week before contributed to her malaise! She perceived this image of beauty, love, and friendship that made her long for what she felt she didn’t have. Sound familiar? 

I told her what was behind the “snapshot of perfection” and that it wasn’t all it seemed. That I, too, was struggling to be there and to embrace the joy that was surrounding me. It was a very difficult few weeks for me—like serious sh*t flying all around me. I found myself spiraling, focusing solely on the negative going on in my life—very out of character for me. 

The GEM voice inside my head, the one that helps me thrive, thumped me between the eyes: Apply the Original G·E·M·S Life playbook! One of the best ways to do that is to practice GRATITUDE—it’s the first category of Original G·E·M·S Life for a reason. It’s mission-critical to living a vibrant life.

Starting Each Day with a GRATITUDE Mindset

“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritations. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-minded.” – Sonja Lyubomirsky. Powerful stuff.

Starting with Gratitude, here are four ways to use Original G·E·M·S Life practices to keep you on the up-and-up mentally (and, in turn, physically!). Using these practices you create a better environment for positivity to grow and manifest! The Mind/Body connection is real!

4 Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health with Original G·E·M·S Life

  • GRATITUDE. My friend was told to start every morning listing 3 (different) things she was grateful for. Some days it might seem impossible. BUT IT’S NOT! We have so much goodness around us. Just look for it. Your health, clean water, a call from a friend, your child’s laughter, a safe home, hand-plucked Sencha tea. There’s so much! There are always positives to discover.
  • EAT CLEAN. Are you eating well? HAVE you eaten at all? A great way to get your day off right is to drink a GREEN JUICE. Green veggies elevate your mood, keep your blood sugar in check, and boost your energy levels. One of my favorite green juices is the Leslie special: kale, parsley, and celery. By starting your day with a green juice, you’ve already consumed a big chunk of your recommended daily veggie intake. Eat Clean practice=complete!
  • MOVE. Are you getting outside and breathing in the sunshine? Studies show that sunlight and exercise have a profound effect on your overall well being. Commit to just 15 minutes of moving your body each morning, and check off your MOVE practice for the day!
  • SHINE. Supplements such as Vitamin D, Fish Oil, and Magnesium are often deficient in folks with low mood and energy. A well-rounded multi vitamin such as our new Thorne 2x/day is a great first step! They have an incredible Fish Oil, too!

Start your day on the brighter side with each of these Original G·E·M·S Life practices, and you’ll set off a chain reaction of mental well-being that can help you take on just about anything. Focus on the positive, even in a setback. Because setbacks or not, your choices either enhance your spirit or diminish it. So what’s it going to be?


Spring Clean Your Daily Routine with Original G·E·M·S Life!

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Spring is our favorite season of the year because it’s a season of growth. It’s the perfect time to re-group, re-prioritize, and revitalize the life you are living. Take stock of your daily routine and see how you can improve this spring with these Original G·E·M·S Life practices!


START. COMMIT. KEEP GROWING. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!


Spring Into Personal Growth!

Great for the mind, body and soul, an Original G·E·M·S Life spring clean is just what the doctor ordered. By committing to one practice in each category (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine) you’ll set off a chain reaction of transformation and Shine Brighter in all areas of your life. But the growth doesn’t stop there. Add in more practices as you go, and watch the transformation begin!

12 Original G·E·M·S Life Practices to #SpringClean Your Routine

G R A T I T U D E

  • REFLECT & RESET. There is SO much to be grateful for–this spring especially. To get into a gratitude mindset, take stock of your mental state as we bid adieu to winter. What have you accomplished last season you’re proud of? What things would you like to change? What are your hopes for the new season?
  • CUT OUT NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. STOP putting energy into negative chatter. Remember: You attract what you put out into the universe. You are love. You are light. Repeat this mantra daily.
  • KEEP JOURNALING! Our Day in the Life of a GEM Journal is the perfect tool to continue your daily gratitude journal. Start each day by listing 3 things you are grateful for. You’ll be amazed at how many wonderful things you will think of.

E A T C L E A N

  • ADD IN SPRING GREENS! Detox daily by eating our Dandelion Salad or Kale Salad for lunch. Our MVP soup is also something you can (and should!) drink every day. It adds five servings of sparkle-inducing veggies into your day! Plus, these super-green foods are supportive of your liver, the major organ responsible for filtering toxins from your body. Order online now!
  • ORGANIC SEASONAL STAPLES. Spring is a great time to shop the farmers market for produce. Support our local organic farmer by visiting these Dallas Farmers Market vendors, Lakewood’s Good Local Markets, or all-organic Bonton Farms in South Dallas to stock up on in-season organic produce like bok choy, strawberries, chard, and red and golden beets. 
  • DRINK GREEN JUICE DAILY. Do not underestimate the power of daily green juice. On an empty stomach, it is a straight shot of goodness into your bloodstream. The phytonutrients in green juice boost metabolism, help clear skin, reduce bloating, and balance blood sugars. EAT CLEAN practice complete!

M O V E

  • GET IN THE GARDEN. Wanting to grow your own herb garden this year (or maybe a succulent garden for those not-so-green-thumbed GEMs)? Either way, spend at least 15 minutes each day working in the outdoors. An easy, productive way to stay active and get your daily MOVE practice in!
  • BIKE RIDES. Great for getting the whole family up, out, and moving together. We love hitting up the Katy Trail on our family rides! 
  • DAILY SUN SALUTATIONS! The perfect way to greet the day, Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, is a series of postures that strengthens and aligns the entire body. Try this quick 10-minute method every morning to set the tone for your day and to check off your daily MOVE practice!

S H I N E

  • DRINK YOUR ALLERGY SHOT! Spring is not so great for our allergies. But our Allergy Mix and Allergy Shots can help quell your pesky seasonal sniffles and sneezing, and are loaded with potent anti-inflammatory compounds including Elderberry, tart cherry, ginger, and ACV. Daily SHINE practice = done!
  • REGULATE YOUR SLEEP. It may be tempting to stay up later than usual now that the days are getting longer, but remember that restorative, blissful sleep is oh-so-critical to your health and well-being. Get a full 8 hours each night for optimum SHINE!
  • SUPPLEMENT YOUR WAY TO SHINE. Optimal brain function? Stronger immune system? Better overall health? Check, check, triple-check. Supplements help your body replenish the necessary amount of dietary nutrients it needs every day, giving it the turbo boost it needs to stay healthy and strong. But beware; all supplements aren’t created equal. Check out these six GEM-approved supplements to keep you Shining Bright!

What better time than spring to start your very own Original G·E·M·S Life? Begin today with these practices designed to help you on a path toward healthier, happier living. 

And if you miss a day, don’t stress — just get back on the disco train and start again. The goal is growth, positivity, and setting your intention to Shine Brighter in all areas of your life.

Need More Inspiration? 

Check out our Original G·E·M·S Life showcase page for more easy-to-start, easy-to-follow practices to help you kickstart your Original G·E·M·S Life. Let us know what practices you love, and share your ideas for other practices on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook!


Restorative Skin Care Tips to SHINE this Spring (Original G·E·M·S Life)

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About a month ago, I was horrified to see my skin had turned into something I didn’t recognize as my own—I was clearly skipping one of my Original G·E·M·S Life daily SHINE practices—specifically, skin care.


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My skin had started to look like an old snake skin bag from my grandmother’s closet. It was a surreal change that seemed to happen overnight. What was I doing wrong?! 

As panic set in, I took a closer look at my daily skin care regimen and realized that I had stopped doing several things that had obviously made an enormous impact on my skin. So I got back on the train and within 2 weeks, my skin had regained its radiant glow! 

The silver lining of this accidental experiment was it helped me find some really, really good remedies to make my skin look the BEST it can (I mean, when you’re 52 like me, there’s only so much that is possible). Here’s what I learned in the process.

SHINE with Original G·E·M·S Life Restorative Skin Care Practices

Those dry, wrinkly elbows may have gone unnoticed in winter, but they’re ready to see some sun. With spring break upon us, you deserve to feel confident showing some skin. Check out these easy ways to get your skin looking and feeling radiant with Original G·E·M·S Life SHINE practices.

6 Daily Skin Care Tips We Swear By!

  • Hydration, hydration, HYDRATION. Water. 32 ounces first thing, plus more throughout the day. Reduces bloating, curbs cravings, flushes toxins. This is a must for your best self. 
  • Take your FISH OIL. Muy importante. My favorite is Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas. Omega fatty acids promote skin healing, inhibits inflammation and enhances the moisture barrier keeping skin supple and hydrated. Order yours here.
  • Don’t skip FACIAL hydration! Odacite Youthful Glow Face Oil. This organic green oil is truly miraculous. I can’t get enough of it!!!
  • Work in COLLAGEN. As we age, our collagen production slows. We need collagen for skin elasticity, and it helps slow the ageing process. Add it to your coffee, or sip some of our collagen-rich Immunity Bone Broth as a snack. Have you ever tried our Elevated Coffee? It should be called a Face Lift Latte because of all the skin loving goodness in it!
  • MOISTURIZE daily. Shea Moisture Daily Hydration is the VERY BEST BODY MOISTURIZER there is. It has no offensive smell, no sticky residue. It’s the bomb! And cheap, too!
  • MORE internal hydration: Drink a daily green juice. Whether made at home or a Green Glow from The GEM, juicing daily provides your body with essential antioxidants (read: anti-ageing) and nutrients that promote a healthy skin glow.

Most of these are treating the problem from the inside out, which is really where good skin and vibrant health starts anyway! These tips are incredibly easy to incorporate, so if you want to see your skin glow to its fullest light, start today! Your beach dress will thank you.

Don’t forget though—skin care is just ONE important practice of an Original G·E·M·S Life. To Shine Brighter in all areas of your life, commit daily to just one practice Original G·E·M·S Life category, Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine, and watch the transformation begin!

Share Your Own #OriginalGEMSLife!

Let us know what practices you love, and share your ideas for other practices on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook


5 Benefits Of A Summer CLEANSE

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Cleanses can be an amazing way to reset the body — pulling you back from the precipice of snack attacks, cravings, and dietary habits  that have run amuck. Even a one-day Juice ‘Til Dinner cleanse can be a beautiful way to get back on track, creating a mindful space to be more intentional about your daily eating habits. Self-care is more important than ever right now, and a GEM cleanse is the perfect way to give your body the reset it needs.


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With gyms closed and many other restrictions in place currently, we could ALL use some control (or at least a little routine!) in our lives again. Reset your body and gain mental clarity with an Honestly Organic cleanse — a great way to keep your body hydrated and cleanse your system while providing it with essential nutrients and vitamins. Boosted immune system. Increased energy. Cravings gone. Glowing skin. Happy. Healthy. GEMMY. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the benefits of a cleanse!

Need more convincing? Here are 5 things a cleanse can do for you RIGHT NOW.

5 Benefits of a Summer CLEANSE

  • MENTAL CLARITY. Cleansing will help you become more focused, and give you clearer thinking! Goodbye brain fog.
  • IMMUNE STRENGTH. By adding a cleanse into your diet and eating better, you’ll introduce good bacteria into your gut, which helps fight off illnesses (especially important right now!). Long term consumption of nutrient-dense foods and green juices can assist in the prevention of chronic diseases, too. 
  • LOSS OF CRAVINGS. Say goodbye to cravings of vices like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar, and junk foods. 
  • FLAT STOMACH. Swimsuit season is well upon us — and though vacation plans may have changed, we still want to look good even if we’re just hanging by the pool. Flooding your system with nutrient dense green juice through a GEM cleanse helps reduce bloating, and discourages your body’s water retention. By juicing, your body will regulate itself and possibly even shed a few unwanted pounds!
  • BRIGHT EYES, CLEARER SKIN. Let’s be honest — do we ever really get tired of hearing “YOU LOOK GOOD!”?! 

Experience what promises to be one of the most exhilarating and rejuvenating things you can do for yourself — a GEM cleanse. Make more deliberate health choices by restarting your body, and continue to form good health habits by making positive changes to your everyday diet. We’ll be with you every step of the way to answer questions, provide support, and even deliver a swift kick in the pants when needed! (Seriously, just call or email us).

Happy cleansing!


Healthy Begins at Bedtime: Go to Sleep!

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Listen up, Sleeping Beauty: When it comes to health, QUALITY SLEEP just might be the most overlooked element there is. While optimized nutrition changes are an integral piece of vibrant health, sleep is another critical one to heal and restore your body.


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Restorative, blissful sleep is often hard to come by—but oh so critical to your health and well-being. Even more importantly, a LACK of sleep can cause serious damage, affecting your body’s ability to maintain:

MEMORY & FOCUS – Deep sleep helps with memory consolidation—where the brain processes events of the day, making memories and links. More quality sleep helps you remember and process things better. STAY SHARP: SLEEP!

WEIGHT LOSS – Poor sleep patterns mess around with your appetite, which control hormones. The rise in cortisol can cause adrenal fatigue and also make you hold fat around your middle. STAY SLIM: GO TO SLEEP!

RECOVERY – The sleeping body works hard repairing protein breakdown and damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays, and muscle exertion. Your cells produce more protein while sleeping. STAY YOUNG & STRONG: SLEEP.

DISEASE PREVENTION – The connections to lack of sleep and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are profound. Sleep also helps your body stay in a calmer state, reducing stress and anxiety. STAY CALM & SLEEP ON.

You can improve virtually every function of your mind and body by making a few small tweaks to your bedtime routine:

TIPS FOR HOW TO SLEEP BETTER:

  1. COZY COMFORT. A quality mattress, good sheets (we love Peacock Alley), soft blankets and cool temperature will reduce annoying distractions and help you relax.
  2. TURN OFF TECH at least 1 hour before going to bed. That type of light really affects your sleep….which leads me to:
  3. COMPLETE DARKNESS. If your room isn’t completely dark, consider a sleep mask. This will also increase your natural production of melatonin, a sleep inducer and cancer fighter.
  4. SKIP OR REDUCE CAFFEINE. Caffeine not only prevents you from falling asleep at night initially, but also decreases the amount of restful sleep.
  5. EASY ON THE ALCOHOL & SUGAR. Alcohol feels like a sedative at first as it slows motor and brain function, but as it’s metabolized acetaldehyde is produced, which acts like a stimulant.
  6. BATHS.  Bathing with Epsom salts (and lavender oil) is a great way to prepare for a restful night of sleep. An evening bath is a beautiful ritual that nourishes mind, body and spirit, and disrupts less healthy habits.
  7. EXERCISE. Fit in 20-30 min of moderate exercise daily, but several hours before bed. Try simple yoga stretches daily.  It can dramatically increase your sleep quality.
  8. CLEAR YOUR MIND. Hit the reset button on your mind. Before going to bed, journal. Try a guided sleep meditation from HeadSpace. If you can’t fall asleep after lying in bed for 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing for 15-30 minutes before returning to bed.
  9. SLEEP ENHANCING SUPPLEMENTS like magnesium (CALM Tea). It is a great way to stay regular, quell anxiety, treat menstrual cramps, allay menopausal symptoms. Also, 300mg of passionflower or 320mg of valerian root extract before bed can relax and help you sleep better.

Bottom line? Get at least 7 to 9 HOURS of sleep every night. You really are NOT one of those people who only needs 5 hours of sleep. It’s just not possible. Good sleep helps you shed fat, keep disease at bay, and stay focused. When it comes to your overall health, focus, weight, and immunity, radiant GEMs know SLEEP IS WHERE IT’S AT! 








22 Healthy Snacks Teens Will Devour

Posted on by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on 22 Healthy Snacks Teens Will Devour

Don’t get in the way of a hungry teen looking for sustenance. Their growing bodies and brains need healthy snacks when they need them. So if you wait for them to start rummaging through the kitchen, you may have already lost the battle for healthy food.



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Teens will snack on what is in front of them, whatever it is. So keep a few options out or in the fridge and they’ll be sure to eat them up.

22 TEEN-APPROVED SNACK IDEAS

Healthy Snacks for Teens

  1. Organic stove-top popcorn with coconut oil and sea salt. Dee-lish.
  2. Sliced cucumbers and carrots marinated in lime juice and salt. Sooo good!
  3. Organic chips with fresh pico, salsa, guacamole and bean dip.
  4. Nachos with pinto beans and organic Mexican cheese
  5. Sunflower seeds. Pistachios are fun to eat. Toast your own pumpkin seeds.
  6. Turkey Muffins. Sounds weird, but they are yummy and easy to make.
  7. GEM Hummus Snack Pack, or make your own. Have you tried our “Ranch” dip?
  8. Sliced apples with organic almond or peanut butter.
  9. Always have Cutie oranges, grapes, or bananas for an easy grab.
  10. Make a smoothie! Blend 1 frozen banana with 1 cup almond milk, raw cacao and organic peanut butter for a yummy treat. Better yet, make a Sparkle Berry smoothie. They will love you!
  11. Speaking of The GEM, the Badass 3 Bean Salad is a big hit with the kids.
  12. Avocado toast with lemon, cayenne, and sea salt.
  13. Mini pizzas made with whole grain English muffins, fresh marinara, mozzarella.
  14. Lentil soup or turkey chili with all the fixings.
  15. Simple Mills crackers are yummy (and gluten free)!
  16. Kids love Sami’s Cinnamon Chips. These high-fiber, low-sugar snacks will disappear. Available at The GEM.
  17. Pre-make whole wheat or banza chickpea pasta and keep a clean and healthy Pomodoro sauce or pesto on hand for a quick pasta break.
  18. Keep grass-fed taco meat and whole wheat tortillas in the fridge for quick quesadillas. When buying tortillas or taco seasoning, look for brands that have simple ingredients. Mission or Taco Bell does not.
  19. Steam frozen organic edamame and add sea salt.
  20. Make-ahead yogurt parfaits in a small Mason jar! Mix Greek or Kite Hill yogurt with Marge (available at The GEM) or Kind granola and berries, and drizzle honey on top.
  21. Healthy protein bars. Look for ones like Clif, Perfect, and Vega with simple ingredients and no harmful chemicals.
  22. Special treat: Homemade cookies and brownies! Just use organic flours, whole butters, and real chocolates — or mixes that do the same like King Arthur or Immaculate Baking Company. A little goodness goes a long way. These treats should be treated as just that — treats.

Find one or two your teen likes and try out new ones every week. Keep a few on your shopping list, and they’ll never run out of options.