Author Archives: diamondsonyourinside

7 Holiday Habits To Keep You Healthy & Happy 🎄

Posted on December 13, 2022 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on 7 Holiday Habits To Keep You Healthy & Happy 🎄

It’s the HOLIDAYS, Y’ALL, and a good routine will help you stay sane, stress-free and as sweet as a sugarplum.

And bonus! Committing to the right daily routine won’t just power you through this special season, it’ll help you maintain healthier habits beyond. Your mind and body will thank you for the decreased anxiety, increased energy and overall extra TLC.

Ready to start your new routine? Order online for pick-up from our organic menu!

Check out our SEVEN super actions that are easy to adopt every day. It just takes setting a little intention — and paying attention to yourself.

7 Holiday Habits for a Happier You!

Morning Hydration Ritual. Start your day with 32 oz of lemon water. It’s hydrating, alkalizing, and a GAME CHANGER for your health. It flushes toxins, boosts energy, and provides a hefty dose of morning hydration to help you function at a higher level. Even slight dehydration can cause your body to function at a lower level.
Gratitude Journal. Start out by simply writing down 3 things you are grateful for. Do it again the next day. Easy. Quick. And eye opening. Practicing gratitude like this is associated with decreased stress and increased happiness.
Morning Movement! We know it’s hard but if you do just 30 minutes in the morning, it’ll get your blood flowing, energize your lymphatic system and your metabolism. We recommend starting with a consistent 30 minute daily workout. You can do more than 30 minutes if you want, but do at least 30 minutes every day.
Stretch It Out! It does wonders for your body. It’ll transform how you feel! Do it in addition to your workouts or on its own. Pro tip: Try to hold your stretches for thirty seconds and do each three times. This will help fully release your muscles. You can add in a foam roller too if you’ve got some spots that just stay tight.
Eat Clean! It’s especially hard with so many treats at parties, at home and in the office. But focus on consuming mostly whole plant-based foods. AND don’t go to the party starving! Here’s an easy tip: 80 percent of your plate should be veggies, nuts and seeds. Consume at least 4 cups of veggies a day. We lean on our Cameo Smoothie for 2 cups of vegetables and easy peasy. Need a bigger veggie boost? Try our Emerald City Smoothie or MVP Soup for 3 cups! Bonus: When your tummy is fully of nutritious greens, you’ll crave less of the sugary treats laying around.
Supplements, supplements, supplements. Supplements are packed full with necessary nutrients your body needs in order to function at its fullest potential. Don’t skip: fish oil (for brain, eye, and joint health), probiotic (digestion, gut health, immunity), a multi-vitamin, and vitamin D (bone strength, anti-cancer). Our fave brand? Thorne. We’re honored to carry them in our stores!
Focus on Sleep. Especially this time of year, make sleep a priority. Consistency and discipline are key elements when it comes to sleep. Go to bed around the same time every night. No screens for at least an hour before you hit the sack. And don’t consume food at least 2 hours before your bedtime. If you want to power up your pre-bedtime routine, try Calm Magnesium Tea (you can find this in one of our locations) or a warm soak in the bath. Also: skip alcohol, especially during the week.

An upgraded routine during the holiday season can keep you healthy and full of joy — but start small and stay realistic. Stick to these changes and they can turn into long-term rituals to help you get the most out of life.

Why You Should Care if Your Juice is Made with High Pressure Processing

Posted on October 10, 2022 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Why You Should Care if Your Juice is Made with High Pressure Processing

Wonder why our juice tastes fresh and best? Well, we believe in the highest standards in what we do. Down to the disco ball and Honestly Organic ingredients. And our juice is never made with high-pressure processing.

Craving some super-fresh juice? Order for pick up now!

What is High-Pressure Processing?

It’s important to know when, where, how and with what your juice is made. Our cold-pressed juice is made fresh daily, bottled on site and then placed right on the shelf (and never processed). Most of our juice only lasts three days — and you GEMs snatch them up and gulp away before the expiration date comes and goes. Yet, you can find dozens of “fresh,” cold-pressed juices that are good for 30 or more days? That seems strange, doesn’t it? Those long-lasting juices are made using high-pressure processing (HPP), a pasteurization process that preserves and sterilizes food by applying very, very high pressure, instead of heat.

The Advantages of HPP

There are advantages, of course: It reduces the level of possible pathogens in the juice — which were there from the beginning but not all of the enzymes and nutrients, like heat pasteurization. The high pressure kills certain microorganisms and enzymes in the food, thereby slowing the food’s deterioration. And it’s the only way juice can be made and sold wholesale (like to a grocery store). Sounds like the perfect solution to having juice last longer, right? We thought so. Unfortunately, we found a few things we didn’t like about the process.

Why We Said No to High-Pressure Processing

The juice has to be more acidic. First off, our precious juice recipes that we hold so dear would have to be formulated differently for high-pressure processing. WTF. No way. Many of our super green juices would have to change to be more acidic. We didn’t like being told that. How could we face our GEMs if we had to change the recipes to their favorite organic juice or, worse still, as one consultant recommended, we add minute quantities of citric acid??
The taste worsens. Over time, taste changes. And not for the better we decided. Don’t agree? Try some juice that has a shelf-life of 30 days or more. Then try some GEM juice. The last thing we want is the taste of our Radiant Glow not to be, well, radiant.
It’s not honest. HPP juice really isn’t “freshly” made or “raw”. It’s pressed and sent to a giant HPP plant, which then treats the juice, dates it and sends it back. In fact, plenty of juice companies have gotten in trouble for calling their juices “fresh” and “raw.” It doesn’t even have to be identified as HPP. So how do you even know if your juice has been processed or it’s truly fresh? By checking the expiration date. HPP can have a shelf life of 30 to 50 days days, 10 to 15 times longer than juice the way nature intended. We think that’s just deceiving. AND, who wants to drink 30-day-old juice?
Benefits change. The good bacteria is destroyed. Along with the bad bacteria (that’s a good thing), the process kills good probiotic bacteria that play a role in good nutrition. Plus, enzymes only live for five to seven days, and HPP can’t change that. The important enzymes that are still alive may be altered and thereby denatured.

Our raw, organic, health-mentoring pledge: We provide the best juices to alkalize the blood and neutralize toxins in the body. That’s also why we never use high-pressure processing and only use 100-percent organic ingredients — a lot of other “organic” juice makers only do organic when it’s convenient; most don’t even try. And being 100 percent Honestly Organic and non-HPP comes at a price to us. But so does our health!

It is our philosophy that truly raw juice can be our medicine, our energizer. BUT: it must be left unprocessed and in its purest (and tastiest) form. We will guide our GEMs daily through an accessible pathway to optimal health. Therefore, we will NOT use processing of any kind on our juices or produce. We WILL continue to raise the bar at every turn, maintain our organic pledge and continue to create more amazingly healthy and tasty juices, smoothies and green bites. Just. for. you.

A Love Letter to My Disco Soul Sister

Posted on February 9, 2022 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on A Love Letter to My Disco Soul Sister

Dearest MK (a.k.a. my Disco Soul Sister),

So often business can ruin good friendships. Yet with ours, not only has it endured, but our friendship has been forged into something truly extraordinary. When I think of the GEM, I think of, above all else, true FRIENDSHIP.

“There’s nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” – Thomas Aquinas

Not only our almost 20-year friendship, but also with the people we have met throughout our relationship, the wonderful staff we have nurtured, and the life-changing friendships that have emerged from the creation of The GEM. I am forever grateful and constantly in awe of the blessing of it all.

What Our FRIENDSHIP Means To Me

F is for FAMILY. You are my soul sister, a part of my family. And I adore that. F is also for FOREVER YOUNG: Flashy earrings, fun costumes, and first-rate dance routines.

R is for RARE. Your joy and kindness are truly RARE superpowers. It’s our company’s Religion now. Risk takers. Some folks said no. But we did it!! Rainbows. And unicorns, and flower crowns. Just because it brings joy.

I is for IMAGINE The GEM as the beautiful force it is—something we never imagined.
I is also for ICONIC. The GEM shines bright for this entire community.

E is for EVERYDAY I get to play and giggle, cry and laugh with you. This Entrepreneurship EMPOWERS us to do great things. Not to mention our Executive lunches with Elevated Elixirs like juice and tequila. 😉

N is for NEEDLES & THE NEUROSURGEON. Our partnership = complete.

D is for DISCO (naturally!). DW, Divine Dates, Diamonds, Dedication, and Discovering new things Daily. For a DECADE! The GEM is DESTINED for greatness. Hot DAMN!

S is for STARDUST, Seventies, Sequins, Snacks, Sunny, Soulshine. Supersonic Smoothies.

H is for HEALTH. Together we have become the mecca in Dallas for clean food, and crusade leaders for a Healing, HAPPY lifestyle. People want to know what WE think about health? Holy Kale!

I is for Impressive. We STARTED the organic buzz in Dallas! Mic drop. Innovation and Inspiration to be better. Always.

P is for POSITIVE energy & PASSION for what we do. It is the special ingredient that makes The GEM what it is, and who we are as a team. Prize winner. It’s what I am every day working with you, babe.

I love you more than you will know, and I am so very grateful for our beautiful creation. Love, friendship & another decade of disco…

Leslie

GEM Products Now Available at Ritual One Yoga!

Posted on November 10, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on GEM Products Now Available at Ritual One Yoga!

Ready to namaste while sippin’ on your favorite green juice? Do it all under one roof at Ritual One Yoga, now offering a selection of GEM goodies for studio patrons!

ORDER ORGANIC JUICES, GREEN BITES & SMOOTHIES FOR DELIVERY OR PICKUP!

We’re excited to officially announce our new permanent residence inside Ritual One Yoga Studio where we’ll now be offering a select variety of our organic cold-pressed juices, bottled smoothies, performance drinks, wellness shots and prepared food!

As one of our new favorite places to MOVE our bodies in Dallas, we are so thrilled to partner with the amazing founders and instructors at R1 and to help them provide their patrons with the GEM goodness you’ve come to know and love.

Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s available. And if you haven’t already, check out their space in Travis Walk off Knox Street and sign up for a class (or two!). You may see some familiar faces there…😉

Get a Move On! The GEM Sponsors Klyde Warren Park Fitness Program

Posted on November 3, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Get a Move On! The GEM Sponsors Klyde Warren Park Fitness Program

It’s official — we are now the proud sponsor of Klyde Warren Park fitness classes! Join us Saturdays in the Park for yoga, Tai Chi, pilates, Zumba, and tons more free classes. Plus, once a month we will be there with bottled juices available for purchase at the Park!

READY, SET, MOVE! JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE TODAY.

We’re always looking for new, fun ways to check off our Original G·E·M·S Life daily MOVE practice, and Klyde Warren Park’s fitness classes are perfect activities to keep your body strong and your mood bright.

That’s why we’re so excited to announce that as of September 18th, 2021, The GEM is the official sponsor of Klyde Warren Park’s efforts to provide free fitness classes to our community. The Klyde Warren Park Fitness Program is always 100% free for all, and includes

Boot camps,
Yoga,
Tai Chi,
Zumba,
and even ballroom dancing classes!

Since its opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has welcomed more than 10 million guests from across our North Texas community and beyond, providing more than 1,000 free programs every year, including fitness classes, outdoor movies, and signature holiday celebrations. Its mission is “…to provide free programming and educational opportunities for the enrichment of visitors’ lives, to showcase the diverse multitude of cultures and talents Dallas has to offer, and to be a town square where citizens may congregate and create traditions together.”

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to partner with the team behind Klyde Warren Park, and look forward to helping them achieve their goals that align with ours: sharing vibrant, daily habits that bring immunity, energy and optimal health to everyone.

To check out the full schedule of free fitness classes at the Park, click here — and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with more news related to our partnership with Klyde Warren Park. We’ll keep you updated with the dates we plan to be out there selling GEM goodies for thirsty fitness class participants!

See you out there, GEMs!

Rise & SHINE: We’re on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas!

Posted on October 29, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Rise & SHINE: We’re on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas!

See how a breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago inspired co-founders Leslie Needleman and Mary Kathryn Bass to open The GEM in an exclusive interview with WFAA’s Hannah Davis on Good Morning Texas!

ORDER ORGANIC GREEN BITES, JUICES & SMOOTHIES FOR PICKUP & DELIVERY !

In 2009, more than 100,000 people were diagnosed with breast cancer — and Leslie Needleman was one of them. Despite this devastating news, Leslie decided to take the lemons she was handed and make juice…literally. She and disco soul sister Mary Kathryn opened Dallas’ first free standing organic juice bar in 2012, inspired by Leslie’s cancer journey and a desire to take charge of their health.

WFAA’s Hannah Davis recently interviewed the co-founders on Good Morning Texas to find out more about their journey to starting The GEM. Check out the full interview below.

A Letter to My Cancer Warriors

Posted on October 12, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 6 Comments on A Letter to My Cancer Warriors

Dealing with cancer is a scary proposition. Like a sucker punch to the gut scary. I know this because it happened to me. At 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer that spread to my lymph nodes. Scared doesn’t even scratch the surface of the emotions I felt. Faced with this fear, I immediately made changes to my diet and my life to make sure that once my cancer was gone, I would do everything within my power to make sure it didn’t come back.

EXPLORE MORE TIPS FOR LIVING AN ANTI-CANCER LIFE.

I am often asked to share advice to those facing the same uncertain journey. I certainly DO NOT have all the answers. What I do have, however, is my own insight and what worked for me.

These tips below include simple actions that I took — and some that I didn’t realize until later. These are applicable to any major illness or challenge you or a loved one may be facing.

10 Cancer Warrior Tips from a Breast Cancer Survivor

Take care of YOU. Not the time to worry about what others think. Also, NO thank you notes (unless it makes you feel better in the moment). Those that care about a note are helping for the wrong reasons. Write special notes when you are healed.
Educate yourself about your illness. Get a notebook and write it all down. Make your decisions to the best of your ability and then be confident in them. It’s your diagnosis, your journey.
Eat clean and vibrant. It’s another way to cleanse your body and fuel it with cancer-fighting nutrients. Incorporate daily, organic green juice into your day, even when you don’t feel like it. You will feel its power immediately. Cut the sugar. Period. Bone broth, clean protein smoothies and all of our offerings are rooted in anti-cancer principles. The GEM was created as an oasis for supporting a healthy, healing, anti-cancer lifestyle. The goal should be not only to heal during the treatment, but to make changes to ensure that the cancer never returns. You have to change the environment on the inside.
Get some good super-soft button down pajamas. Especially helpful for post surgery. A cashmere wrap for your visits and chemo sessions. You spend a lot of time with nothing but a cold, crinkly hospital top on while folks poke and prod. You will thank me.
Accept all support that doesn’t have strings attached. You will need all of it. Ask someone to be the point person to set up MealTrain.com. This site helps manage food and even carpool schedules.
Tell your friends what you want and need. Be specific. They want to help and aren’t sure what to do. Set boundaries with energy vampires in your life (those who suck the energy out of you). You DO NOT have to respond to their needs. You will find incredible people who seem to come out of nowhere.
Exercise every day. Even if you just stretch for 10 minutes and walk around the block for 20. You will feel better.
Use Caringbridge to communicate. That way you only have to say it once. Plus it can be a great place to document your journey. It helps keep those energy vampires out.
Breathe. And do it deeply. For those new to it, it sounds corny. To those who understand it, it is imperative. Also try mediation by downloading Headspace and Calm apps and begin to see what it is all about.
Love. Every. Minute. Life is important. Make yours count.

“Let Food Be Thy Medicine”

As far as specific food items to help you through your cancer journey, our Green Glow is a great place to start for daily juicing. I consumed large quantities daily of that particular green juice back in the day (with additional kale and ginger). It made all the difference to my energy and overall healing. Hot drinks like Matcha Lattes, Ginger tea, smoothies such as the Tahitian Pearl (no dates) or Cameo with protein, and our soups and Immunity bone broths offer amazingly nourishing sustenance. Using homemade cashew milk instead of dairy will help keep inflammation at bay. Food as medicine is SO powerful.

I am grateful that so many people reach out to me about their own cancer experience. It is a scary time for everyone. Throughout my cancer journey, the most amazing people came to my side. AND I KNOW YOU’VE GOT SOME BADASS SUPER HEROS IN YOUR LIFE FOR THAT TOO! But of course I am always available to talk, answer questions, whatever!

Sending you good vibes and prayers for the scans, tests, treatments, and transformations. It will be a whirlwind, but YOU’VE GOT THIS.

I hope this helps. ☀️

Peace, love & healing,

Leslie

Recommended Reading List:

Kris Carr: Crazy Sexy Cancer, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, Crazy Sexy Diet (www.kriscarr.com)
Dr. Kelly Turner: Radical Remission
Dr. Keith Block: Life Over Cancer Book (www.blockmd.com)
Dr. Susan Love: Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book
Jen Rozenbaum: What the Fuck Just Happened? A Survivor’s Guide to Life After Breast Cancer

SHINE Smarter with Original G·E·M·S Life! (Smarty Pants Series Part IV)

Posted on August 18, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on SHINE Smarter with Original G·E·M·S Life! (Smarty Pants Series Part IV)

Take time for a little self-care so you can operate at your brightest this school year and keep stress levels low! Try out these SHINE Original G·E·M·S Life practices with your family for a Smarty Pants Semester.

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

Starting Your Day with Original G·E·M·S Life

Our health is impacted by so much more than what we eat or whether or not we exercise. Mental health plays just as big a role as these practices in our overall wellness. Because of this, our daily habits have a HUGE impact on brain health—an important fact to remember as we begin this new school year!

Do right by your body and brain this semester by embarking on your own Original G·E·M·S Life — a playbook formed from our founding nutritional and lifestyle practices. Get started by checking out our tips on practicing GRATITUDE for a new school year, ways to EAT CLEAN to boost brain power, and our MOVE practices for a Smarty Pants Semester.

To round up our back-to-school series, here are our top practices to help you Shine smarter this school year!

6 Back To School #SelfCare Tips to Help You SHINE Smarter!

Get a full 8 hours of SLEEP! Deep, quality sleep helps with memory consolidation, where the brain processes events of the day, making memories and links. A good night’s rest helps you remember and process things better—crucial for smarty pants GEMs. Shine smarter by prioritizing your shut-eye time nightly!
Start a morning WATER therapy regimen. Here’s your new morning ritual: drink 32 oz of water upon waking. That’s it. SUPER beneficial to your overall long-term health, and an easy way to detoxify your system. We GEMs do it every day. Staying hydrated makes us more focused and keeps us energized throughout the day. Try it and see for yourself!
Cut down on screen time. Excessive time in front of our screens can cause parts of our brain to shrink—crucial parts that help us with empathy, planning, prioritising, organization and impulse control. Too much screen time can also make us feel disconnected from others, which is detrimental to our mental well being. Take a 10-minute break every hour spent in front of your device to keep you Shining Brighter all day long.
De-stress & detox with bath salts. Our GEM At Home Detox Bath Salts relax tense muscles, replenish magnesium, and reduce inflammation. Plus, their healing properties can help moisturize your skin, decrease stress, and help you sleep better. Give yourself a little R&R bathtime to soak away school stresses. Order now!
Relax & drink Natural Calm Tea nightly to help quell anxiety and promote a more restful sleep. It works by balancing your magnesium levels and calcium intake, helping you to feel less stressed and more relaxed. We recommend starting with just a little at first (half a teaspoon daily), and gradually increase to two teaspoons per day from there.
Stock up on supplements. Want optimal brain function? A stronger immune system? Better overall health? Look no further than our top GEM-approved daily supplements. Good news! We now carry the incredible Thorne brand. Give your body the turbo boost it needs to stay healthy and strong by supplementing your way to SHINE. Stop by and stock up today!

Make these daily SHINE practices part of your back-to-school routine, and you’ll set off a chain reaction of mental and physical well-being that will lead to a bright, shining, Smarty Pants Semester!

But don’t stop there; commit to one practice in each Original G·E·M·S Life category (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine) and reap the benefits of a healthier, happier mind, body and soul. Add in more practices as you go, and watch the transformation begin! Jump in today!

5 Practices to Ace GEM Class With Original G·E·M·S

Posted on August 18, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on 5 Practices to Ace GEM Class With Original G·E·M·S

A daily routine is key to a successful school year. Add these quick MOVE practices to your Original G·E·M·S Life for a focused, fabulous fall term!

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

Ready for more focus, less anxiety and improved energy? Set aside a few minutes every day to move your body for a world of difference to your physical AND mental health.

It’s a scientific fact that regular exercise is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety and depression. So do right by your body and your brain by adding in our third Original G·E·M·S Life category, MOVE, to your morning routine, and get ready to take on this school year by storm!

You don’t have to hit the gym after dropping the kids off at school — commiting to MOVE your body everyday is a lot easier than you think! One of the biggest mistakes we make when setting activity goals is trying to “get fit” by overcommitting to an exercise “program.” In other words: We shoot the moon, when really we just need to walk around the block. Some things to keep in mind:

Any movement is a good movement! It doesn’t have to be a heart-pounding sweaty gym sesh to improve your fitness.
Those little minutes of movement add up! A little bit here and there, when you can, can add up to a full work out!
Consistency matters more than intensity. You can burn a lot of calories walking — and a lot more than running if it’s just too hard or you don’t like it.
If you don’t like it, if it’s too hard, if it hurts, you won’t keep doing it. Movement should be fun, not painful.

To help get you started, try our top practices to help you ace GEM class this school year.

5 MOVE Practices for a Smarty Pants Semester

After School Dance Party! Shake away those back to school blues by throwing on some throwback jams to groove to! Try this ultimate dance party workout with Meagan Kong for some seriously good vibes. A dance a day keeps the doctor away, right?
Sneak In Mini-Moves: You don’t have to make it to class or the gym every day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or take a quick walk around the block in between Zoom calls. Either way, take a few minutes to stretch your legs during the day. Those minutes add up!
Try a TikTok Trend! There are sooo many to keep up with, but a few TikTok trends we’ve loved lately are the #FlexibilityChallenge videos, the #Trackstars “runaway” challenge, and whatever #DanceTikTok’s viral dance of the week is! Get your family involved and try out these video challenges for your daily MOVE practice!
Find a “move” buddy. Having someone to keep us accountable helps us stay committed to daily move goals. Call up a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with and try different classes with them for a month, or sign up for a weekly AM sculpt class at Ritual One Yoga on Knox with a friend (plus, get your daily GEM fix at our pop-up location here!).
Get a Personal Trainer. Can’t find time to make it to a class? Hire a personal trainer to come to your home instead—they can even give you light exercises or stretching work to do so you can check off your MOVE practice every day of the week.

Prioritizing your health is the BEST way to curb anxiety and stress that a new school year brings. Follow these Original G·E·M·S Life MOVE practices to help you and your family stay healthy this fall. And remember; it takes 21 days to form a habit, so don’t wait—jump in today!

Live an Original G·E·M·S Life

Commit to Shine Brighter in all areas of your life with our daily playbook formed around The GEM’s founding principles. Jump on our disco train and commit daily to just one practice in each of the categories, Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, Shine. Add in more practices and grow with the program when you’re ready, and create your very own Original G·E·M·S Life!

How to Boost Brain Power by Eating Clean (Smarty Pants Series Part II)

Posted on August 13, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on How to Boost Brain Power by Eating Clean (Smarty Pants Series Part II)

“You is kind, you is SMART, you is important.” Say it with us now. Back to school time is upon us, and to celebrate we’re sharing our top Original G·E·M·S Life tips for you to have a Smarty Pants Semester—and this week is all about how to Eat Clean to boost brain power. Check out our brain-boosting daily practices and commit to Eat Clean this school year!

START NOW. SHINE BRIGHTER. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!

As we said in Part I of our Smarty Pants Semester series, lifestyle has a HUGE impact on our brain and mental health. Each of us has the opportunity to do something good for our brain (and, in turn, our body), multiple times a day.

When it comes to eating, start smart each day with these tried-and-true Eat Clean practices that keep your mind and body at peak performance!

5 Brain Boosting Foods for Back to School

BLUEBERRIES. These babies are PACKED with antioxidants proven to help delay brain aging and improve memory. Stick some in the freezer with a scoop of peanut butter for a delish after-school snack, or add them to your morning smoothie for a one-two punch of brain power!
TURMERIC. We’ve talked a LOT about the benefits of this anti-inflammatory super spice—but turmeric also has the power to improve memory, boost serotonin and dopamine levels, and help us grow new brain cells. Our Turmeric Latte is a favorite back to school accessory for this reason. So is the Iced Immunity Green Tea.
NUTS. Brain healthy fats and protein abound with walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil Nuts, mulberries and more. Snag a bag or two of our GEM Remix or Dance Mix to get your daily dose of nuts—super filling and packs a punch. Got nuts?
MAGIC MUSHROOM. Our Adaptogenic Powder contains Lion’s Mane, which boosts brain clarity and memory. Add to any of our coffee drinks or in our Crown Jewel smoothie!
GREEN TEA. In addition to fighting cancer, aiding in digestion, and improving cardiovascular health, studies have shown that drinking green tea daily can enhance memory and other cognitive functions. Green tea directly benefits the part of our brain associated with learning, memory processes, and decision making. Choose wisely and GO GREEN!
LEAFY GREENS. You know the ones—kale, spinach, Bok Choy, collard greens, etc. all have the power to slow cognitive decline. Stay sharp by packing in extra greens at every meal with these simple tips:
- Add to smoothies. Spinach and kale are our favorite additions. Make at home with your favorite organic ingredients, or order to-go from The GEM!
- Stir into soup. De-stem and cut a few kale leaves before adding them to soups in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Bake kale chips. Chop and toss with a little olive oil and salt, then bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
- Juice ‘em. Our Green Glow juice is the perfect starter kit to get your daily green fix (all hail the KALE!). Order now!

By adding just ONE of these brain-boosting foods daily, check off your EAT CLEAN practice while getting the nutrients you need to learn and Shine Brighter in the classroom this semester! And stock up with these foods to send your little GEMs off with fuel for the school day and beyond.

Keep an eye out for more Original G·E·M·S Life practices for a Smarty Pants Semester, coming soon!

The Official Blog of The GEM.