The Official Blog of The GEM.

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

Author Archives: diamondsonyourinside

Why We Live #HonestlyOrganic

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on Why We Live #HonestlyOrganic

Organic or non-organic: why does it matter? More than a lifestyle, honestly organic is a way of thinking and a commitment to your health. Here’s the serious side of non-organic: PESTICIDES + GMOs = CHRONIC DISEASE & INFLAMMATION. You heard right (and there is science to back this up). Truly organic food, grown without harmful pesticides and non-GMO, is a major weapon in your arsenal to maintain health and well being.


Order your #HonestlyOrganic breakfast or lunch, on our app!


Organic is NOT a trend, a fad, or a when-convenient habit. A nutrient dense, ORGANIC (read: clean), plant-based diet is THE way to eat and live. (P.S. This doesn’t include trendy organic super-processed junk food. We mean WHOLE FOOD). Staying organic when it’s not convenient is hard and why so many businesses aren’t able to do it 100 percent of the time. But YOU ARE worth it. 

When you choose organic, you unleash the superpowers of clean, whole foods that produce a positive environment on our insides and on our earth. These foods kick start your body’s natural defenses against illness, inflammation, disease and almost every health issue.

Want to DISCO your way into a whole new lifestyle? Here are 5 more reasons why choosing organic is oh-so-critical to your overall health: 

SHE’S A BRICK HOUSE. Organic boasts more nutrients per square inch. Non-organic agriculture results in larger crops with lower nutrients — it’s known as the dilution effect. Organic methods improve soil and that leads to healthier plants—and healthier humans.

STAYIN’ ALIVE. REDUCE YOUR TOXIC LOAD. Toxins are cumulative—stored in our fat and liver cells, compounding on each other every time we consume them. Certain conventional foods contain these types of pesticides . So why keep adding toxins to your body?

Le FREAK. THINK ANTI-CANCER. Organic means non-GMO. Genetically Modified Organism. It sounds like a creepy science experiment, because it IS a creepy science experiment. GMOs often have cancer-causing toxins like glyphosate sprayed on and injected into the DNA of the plant—and hence, into yours.

BOOGIE WONDERLAND. IT’S WHERE WE LIVE. Choosing organic is MUCH better for the environment. Less toxic runoff, more healthy water and soil. When we choose organic, we are also choosing to love Mother Earth.

ROCK YOUR BABY…AND PROTECT YOUR KIDS. Feeding our children organic, whole foods is VERY important. The American Academy of Pediatrics says “Children have unique susceptibilities to the potential toxicity of pesticides…and chronic health implications from exposure continue to emerge.” Our kids have enough to worry about as it is. Help them live their best HEALTHY lives by choosing organic.

In brief, all of us—adults AND children—should be eating organic as much as possible to promote health and longevity. There’s a quote on the wall at The Gem by Hippocrates that we live by every day: “Let Food Be Thy Medicine.” We’ve lived by it from the beginning…and our story doesn’t veer from this principle.


7 Ways to Say Goodbye to Summer Slacking

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on 7 Ways to Say Goodbye to Summer Slacking


Stow away the swimsuits and the pool floaties. Pack up the margarita mixer and the BBQ grill. The care-free summer snacks, party food and all-night soirées have caught up with us (adios, summer bod). After months of facing havoc, your body is ready to get back to business. HEALTH business, that is!


BACK ON THE HEALTH TRAIN? ORDER ORGANIC GOODNESS ON OUR NEW APP!


Hate to break the news, but the summer party is officially OVER and it’s time to get back to healthy habits.

Snap. Back To Reality.

When all the fun and party begins to fade, we’re left feeling puffy and bloated, brain-foggy and just plain SPENT. Your mind and body are ready for a wake-up call. You want to get back on the feel-good wagon…and we know just how to help.

SUMMER’S OVER. FALL BACK INTO GOOD HEALTH!

Here are a few sure-fire ways to get you feeling lighter (and BRIGHTER) again, and lift that summer fog:

  • MORE GREENS. Add just one EXTRA to your plate. For real, people, This works! The extra chlorophyll and phytonutrients will give you immediate energy and spark, while the added fiber will help boost your metabolism and enhance your digestion (read: you can get regular again). Have you tried our new Super Tabouli? It will make your taste buds sing AND your energy levels soar!
  • H2 OH-YEAH! Get back to your morning ritual of drinking water FIRST THING after you wake up. Not only is it super beneficial to your overall long-term health care, it’s also an easy way to detoxify your system without having to make major changes to your lifestyle. Bonus!
  • DAILY JUICE. Whether you dive deep into a 100% Celery Juice regimen or get back to old favorites like the Green Glow (kale, cucumber, apple, lemon, ginger), adding daily juice will boost your metabolism & energy levels, maintain blood sugar levels, and even quell some cravings. It’s just the right way to start your day. (or afternoon pick up).
  • GET PHYSICAL. Stretch it out. Breathe deeply. Doing yoga or an at-home stretching sequence will make a HUGE difference in your day, and will keep your body healthy and renewed. Try some of these exercises to get started (you’re welcome). 
  • MAKE SMOOTHIES GREEN AGAIN. Your digestive system needs a break after everything it’s been through. Ditch the sweet, sugary breakfast and try a White Diamond with added spinach instead. Or, go full GREEN with an Emerald City. Your mind and body will thank you! 
  • PROBIOTICS, PLEASE! It’s high time to get yourself some good bacteria. Your system has been compromised: summer partying has no doubt upset the balance of good vs. bad bacteria in your gut. Digestion, immunity, and brain function are suffering. Stock up on some probiotics (Bio-Kult is the best), inside The GEM.
  • GO TO SLEEP! News flash: you’ve been staying up late, and it’s starting to catch up with you. Lack of sleep makes you crave sugar and ages you. Good sleep helps shed fat, keep disease at bay, and renews your energy. Having trouble getting back in the sleep-routine? Try some CALM tea at night to relax.

Try these steps and let us know how you feel! We’re certain clarity, energy and vibrance are in your very near future—and if you’re still needing a little bit of help, you can always kickstart your way back into good health with a detox cleanse from The GEM. Frenzied Fall…here we come!!


Celebrating 7 Years: What We’ve Loved (And Learned)

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Celebrating 7 Years: What We’ve Loved (And Learned)

It’s hard to believe that The GEM is already into its SEVENTH YEAR of serving organic juice goodness here in Dallas. MK and I never dreamed it would be so well received! Thank you to our beautiful GEM community, and for those who stand beside us while we live out our dream, each and every day!


ORDER ORGANIC GEM JUICE AND SMOOTHIES FOR PICK UP OR DELIVERY, ON OUR APP!


Since opening our doors back in 2012, we can’t think of a better way to fill the day than inside this happy place—surrounded by folks who just want to SHINE BRIGHTER. Being around that kind of energy is contagious, and it makes us all better for it.

Every day for the last seven years, we’ve learned something new. But here are a few things we know for sure:

7 THINGS WE’VE LEARNED ABOUT ORGANIC JUICE (AND LIFE)!

7 Years of Organic Juice
  • You are never too old to dream a new dream…even if it takes you into a completely different world! At 42, MK and I decided to do something wildly different with our careers (organic juice? really!) —and we have loved every minute of it!
  • There is no miracle food, only miraculous habits. Incredible transformations happen by mindfully thinking, eating, and playing clean and healthy. We’ve seen diet soda habits ditched, junk food eliminated, healthy routines established—all with life-changing results. And we love having a role in that!
  • MEN love a place to GLOW as much as women do. The GEM community has become a healthy “Cheers”, and we love it. (You can even find our very own Norm here any day of the week!)
  • DAILY ORGANIC JUICE is a game changer. We’ve seen skin disorders disappear, blood pressures lower, and waistlines shrink. Daily juicing calms inflammation, boosts energy, and simply makes you a better you.
  • Good energy matters. This GEM community is overflowing with the incredible power of meaningful social connections and infectious energy. Our goal has always been to make your day BRIGHTER just by walking in.
  • Kids love vibrant food and juice! From the babies who drink their morning Green Glow and toddlers begging for pink and blue smoothies, to the teens grabbing our soups and hummus during their lunch breaks, we are so inspired to see them starting down a healthy path so early in life.
  • ORGANIC FOOD and DISCO BALLS go together like peas and carrots…plain and simple!

Our love for this lifestyle only grows stronger with each one of you who walks in the door, and we are ever grateful for the opportunity to spread the word of clean and healthy living. Thank you, dear GEMs, for your support and love these past 7 years. We can’t wait for the next 7!

HAVE A FAVORITE GEM MEMORY? SHARE WITH US ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK!


Be a GEM! Go Strawless This Earth Week!

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Be a GEM! Go Strawless This Earth Week!

It’s one of our favorite days — the world-wide celebration of Earth Day on April 22! With that, it is time to renew our commitment to being a GEM in every way.


Order your Earth-friendly green drinks today for pick up or delivery, straight from our app!


Since our opening 7 years ago, The GEM’s love of the earth and the environment has formed the basis of our creed.

THE GEM’S CREED: REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.

You can’t believe in the value of organic produce and not respect the health of the soil and water supply it comes from. Everything in our world is connected! We know that the BEST organic produce is only made possible through supporting environmentally-friendly farming and soil practices and by helping reduce water waste and pollution.

Living clean and being green is a way of life.

Serving super-green plant-based soups, salads, juices and smoothies is what The GEM is best known for, but did you also know the ideals The GEM follows?

  • SERVE ONLY ORGANIC PRODUCE. The amazing farms that supply us share our commitment to keeping chemicals out of our soil and fresh food.
  • COMPOST. We’ve sent all our food waste out to compost since the day we opened. And in the last 7 years we’ve diverted 150 tons to the Texas Worm Ranch to help create a healthy planet through healthy soil!
  • REUSE. Our kitchen and staff use repurposed glass bottles. Anything we can repurpose, we DO! And we encourage regular GEM customers to return brown bags, glass shot bottles, and juice/smoothie holders for reuse.
  • RECYCLE. Any paper and plastic we can recycle goes to the recycler. Remember to rinse out yours at home before recycling!
  • PURIFY. We use carbon water filtration systems for food and juice production to keep impurities out!

Being green and living clean means more than honestly organic goodies.

GO STRAWLESS WITH US! Go GREEN with The GEM! We’ve written a lot about how to help us help the Earth. This week, we’re asking that you Shine Brighter with us by going strawless with your daily juices, iced tea and smoothies April 22 to 27.

An estimated 500 million straws are used every single day in the United States — producing enough waste to encircle the Earth 2.5 times. As many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches.

We’re working hard on developing straw alternatives, but until that day, be brave and go strawless with us!


Far And Wide, We Go The Distance To Stay Honestly Organic

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 5 Comments on Far And Wide, We Go The Distance To Stay Honestly Organic

So. This happened. It’s the stuff Organic Juice Bar Horror movies are made of. We were given some of the worst news there is if you are an organic juice bar like The GEM. Wait for it: THERE ARE NO ORGANIC CUCUMBERS AVAILABLE FOR A WEEK. O.M.G.G! (Oh, my, Green Glow) We broke into a cold sweat. What’s an Honestly Organic Girl to do?

We were encouraged to pull the “organic when available” schtick and use conventional cucumbers for the next few days, or even worse, pretend like nothing happened and no one would be the wiser. An inside source told us that we were the only folks in town who order only organic. YIKES. Tempting as it might be, UMMMM. No. If MK and I won’t drink it, we won’t sell it.

Wonder Twin Powers Activate. We sprang into action. We went on a scavenger hunt to several Whole Foods, and they really came out the hero! The search was a success, and we scrounged up about 350 pounds of organic cucumbers from around town. Our incredible produce supplier also helped!

We did the right thing. Don’t you want to know you are getting what you think you are getting? We are proud to say, at The GEM, you do. For us, it’s Honestly Organic. NOT when possible or feasible. ALWAYS.


More Confessions: No Coffee, No Crime

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on More Confessions: No Coffee, No Crime

Another confession … I love coffee. I used to be disturbingly obsessed with it. Picture me standing in the office kitchen throwing back five cups a day, in carcinogenic styrofoam office cups no less. Anything that you consume in copious amounts is NOT GOOD FOR YOU. It is acidic, and usually filled with dairy and more crap than is worth mentioning. When I dove deep into my health journey (read: cancer diagnosis), I eliminated it altogether. That was a good thing, and for eight years, it was off my regimen. However, recently, I’ve added it back, except I’ve transformed the coffee into something that is magical! We call it “Elevated Coffee.” And you are going to want it!

This Elevated Coffee is special. It not only satisfies your ‘need’ for coffee, it provides incredible benefits that your typical, boring latte will never do.

Here’s what it looks like:

We take GEM French Press Coffee, add collagen peptides, coconut manna, and top it off with frothed, house-made cashew milk. This rock solid coffee is about to rock your world. My Elevated Coffee contains 10g of collagen peptides, 12g of protein, and 18g of brain boosting fats. It is enough to keep me going most of the morning!!

Here’s why:

  • The collagen contains proteins that aid in digestion, helps your skin and hair, quells inflammation and supports healthy joints.
  • The healthy fats from the coconut manna and cashew milk boost brain function, stabilize blood sugars, satisfy cravings, and fuel your brain.
  • Coffee is not SO bad. It is high in anti-oxidants. Studies show it may protect against type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer, and appears to improve cognitive function.  Cold brew is much less acidic too, in case you have digestive issues with it.

 

Be buzzed, brilliant, and a beautiful GEM. A Triple Crown Winner all on its own! Come grab your new morning habit this week!

P.S.  If you just want a plain AMAZING coffee, we’ve got that too.  Our French Press Coffee is one of the best kept secrets in Dallas.  For real!!


Confessions of a Wayward Juice Bar Owner. You Will Want to Hear This.

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on Confessions of a Wayward Juice Bar Owner. You Will Want to Hear This.

Well folks, I have some confessions to make. I’ve been living a double life for the last two weeks, and it ain’t pretty. Let’s just say I’ve been doing all the things (maybe not ALL, but still) that we preach inside The GEM to be bad for your health and happiness. OFF. THE. RAILS.  And you know what? I feel like crap, act like crap, AND I’m starting to really look like crap, too. What’s important here is a) not to judge, and b) to pay attention to the results of this real-life human experiment revealing what healthy living does (or in my current situation, what UN-healthy living does) to your body and mind.

This whirlwind of Slug-dom looks like this: Poorly planned meals, fat bastard cheese on everything, sexy-sugared goodies, gluten-glittered everything, liver-killing tequila too often, badass carcinogenic bacon, the absence of centering yoga, no muscle sculpting weights, and no calming meditation. “Cool,” you might say! “Sounds like the summer of champions!” WRONG. Stress has taken over inside and out, and the buzzards are circling.

Here’s what these choices have brought me:

  • Sloth-like afternoons. All I want to do at 4 p.m. is take a nap. THAT IS NOT NORMAL.
  • Dun-lap. Yep, my puffy belly has dun lapped over my belt. Subtle, but will be a problem if I don’t stop the insanity.
  • Slow-to-NO bathroom visits. You can figure out that one.
  • Old folk joint pain. I might be 50, but before this dark period, I felt like a million bucks. Now? A buck fifty at best. Inflammation at its finest.
  • Terrible sleep patterns.
  • Old lady eye bags and ugly skin. Poor eating AGES you. Almost immediately.
  • Piss-poor mood. I was definitely more pleasant before this tragic health trip. Food and exercise do miraculous things to your brain.
  • More self-sabotage. The worse I do, the worse I feel, then the more bad things I do. It’s a vicious cycle.

If you think these choices make you feel better, trust me, it is very short lived. The effects of this lifestyle manifest fairly quickly. I can vouch for that. Maybe you have a similar story? The struggle is real, people. And the struggle is HARD!

Listen up slugs, NO ONE is coming to save you. YOU are the 911 Rescue. Here are four ways to pull your slimy self up off the floor and start shining bright like the diamond you are. Let’s get our groove back starting with the following action items. I promise you will feel better almost immediately.

  • Drink a green juice each morning. Crowding out the bad stuff with the good makes all the difference. Plus all the veggies bring tons of energy and vibrance – boosts the liver to filter out the toxins!
  • Keep MVP soup on hand and drink a cup everyday this week. It’s 5 servings of veggies, filling, tasty and boosts your energy and metabolism and is chock-full of cleansing greens.
  • Meditate, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Focus on your breathing, focus on the present. It helps manage stress, and keeps your discipline in check.
  • Eat a dark, leafy green salad for at least one of your meals. Keep a GEM Chopped Veggie or Celery salad on-hand for a quick grab and go fiber-filled option. Have it before you go to that poolside bbq so you don’t gorge on the bad stuff.

Special note: Never say never. If you want a heavy, gluten and dairy-filled food carnival, pick a special one – make it worth your while. But please, DON’T MAKE IT YOUR DAILY M.O.  Make The GEM visit your next habit. Your body will sing. See you inside The GEM soon!

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A Probiotic Cult Classic

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on A Probiotic Cult Classic

Get ready for the good health ride of your life. I want you to join The Coconut Cult with me. This one is actually good for you. The Coconut Cult is my new obsession, and it is soon to be yours too. I am talking about yogurt – dairy-free coconut yogurt, that is.

It’s important. Given all the research linking poor gut health to everything from immunity to depression to acne to insomnia, it’s no surprise that this probiotic powerhouse is catapulting into stardom. Your gut flora is responsible for your overall health and well-being. Take care of it.

It’s potent. This coconut yogurt is different and probably the most powerfully probiotic food you’ve ever tasted. They ferment 800 billion highly active probiotics into every quart, “creating an insanely probiotic coconut yogurt.” Other benefits: improved digestion, boosted immunity, and a cold-fighter.

It’s tasty. I love to mix mine with Qi’a superfood cereal and frozen blueberries. The texture is lighter, airier, and creamier than you’d think. It’s slightly sweet, almost fizzy, and super tangy – teaming with vibrant life forces! I love it and so will your gut.

Start slow. Think of it as a daily superfood supplement to start, like a replacement – or better, an enhancement – of your daily probiotic supplement or as your new favorite yogurt.

It’s expensive. But you’re worth it. It takes two or three whole coconuts and a day to make 16 ounces. There’s almost a trillion probiotics in each jar (25 billion in each serving), created from 13 vegan strains.

It’s its own religious experience. I just had to say that because it sounds good and quippy. But it’s true.

Order yours now at The Gem!

P.S. Tips on consuming:

  1. Start with a small dose and work your way up. As I said, this is a probiotic powerhouse!
  2. The jar lasts 8 weeks unopened, 3 weeks after opening – if you keep it closed tightly and don’t double dip.
  3. Variations are normal. Sometimes it is thick, other times lighter. Don’t panic. It’s all good!

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Pico de Mayo!

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 2 Comments on Pico de Mayo!

Pico de gallo. It’s one of my favorite foods – nutrient dense, low in calories, and high in antioxidants. A fiesta in my mouth. Tex-Mex wouldn’t be the same without it. Most often, it’s a simple salsa of red tomato, green chile (jalapeño) and white onion. (Those 3 colors are those of the Mexican flag, by the way.) Add a squeeze of lemon or lime and a sprinkle of cilantro and salt, and you are ready to go!

One of our best-kept secrets is our pico de gallo, served up fresh daily inside The GEM. It is distinct from other picos because we use super flavorful grape tomatoes which makes it thicker and chunkier than most ‘diced’ garnishes. AND, the smaller, tastier grape tomatoes have more beta-carotene that the bigger ones. While I’m on it, pico de gallo is really good for you in other ways too. The ingredients boast protection against heart disease, diabetes, and my personal favorite, cancer. And to top it off, cilantro cleanses the body of toxic metals. BAM. Order me up some pico!

Although a perfect companion, pico’s not just for tacos and tortilla chips. Some of our GEMs like to use the ever-sturdy Sami’s chips as a dipper. I prefer to douse it over my GEM quinoa and scramble an egg. One of my besties prefers to think of our pico a chopped tomato salad, forgoing the garnish idea altogether, and simply uses a fork. However you dice it, pico de gallo makes me smile.

The good news is that for the month of May, pico is the loyalty program reward. Load up for yourself, your family or that Cinco de Mayo party coming up … with or without a sombrero.

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Start Your Day With a Bright, Shiny Breakfast Bang!

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Start Your Day With a Bright, Shiny Breakfast Bang!

It’s not breaking news to read that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But WHY? A good breakfast leads to better choices, more energy, boosted metabolism, better focus, reduced cravings throughout the day and even weight loss. It’s an effective way to be your best version of you.

If you are prepared, breakfast can be quick and easy. If you aren’t, you can sail off the rails really quickly by making choices that clearly don’t serve your health. In one of my favorite posts, I offer several great options for making breakfast happen at home. Many of you still weren’t convinced you could (or wanted to) do it on your own. We get it. That’s why we are here! Did you know The GEM offers amazing breakfast options? We make it simple to start your day off with a bright, shiny bang! Don’t have time? We do!

Smoothies. This is an obvious one. But if you’ve never tried our Cameo or Tahitian Pearl, you don’t know what you’re missing. Adding greens allows you 2 veggie servings out of the 8 you should consume daily. The fat from the coconut butter/manna keeps you satiated for hours. Want to really pimp your smoothie ride? Add extra protein – chia or hemp seeds – to shine like a rock star.

Lattes. Often these can be loaded with sugar and dairy and chemicals. NOT AT THE GEM. Ever had a real Matcha Latte? Not one made from syrupy concentrate? Incredible. Our Turmeric Latte, made with fresh pressed turmeric, ginger, garam masala and frothed cashew milk is a game changer—morning or afternoon—for happiness, inflammation, energy.

Steel Cut Oatmeal. Top it with raw walnuts, currants, cinnamon, maple syrup. This stuff is GOOD. Some folks like to add warm cashew milk and blueberries. I LOVE to add coconut manna for extra creaminess and brain boosting fats. It’s filled with blood sugar leveling fiber and energizing complex carbohydrates. Anyway you spoon it, it’s a clear morning winner.

French Press Coffee. Our coffee is the best kept secret in Dallas!! Combined with our warm cashew milk, this morning treat is sure to be your new addiction.

FOYO Parfait. This is technically a Smoothie Bowl in a cup. We top it with really yummy, not too sweet, granola. It’s got berries, tart cherry juice for inflammation, hemp seeds for protein and bananas. Add spinach or extra protein for a kick-ass start.

GREEN JUICE. And of course, a perfect day wouldn’t be complete without GEM JUICE. Fresh pressed juice helps balance blood sugar levels, energizes, makes your skin glow, and loves on your liver and kidneys. It is best to drink juice on an empty stomach for best results, so make it a priority and feel the difference.

Still think you don’t have time for The GEM? Order on our APP and we will have it waiting for you—even run it to your car if you need us to. (Download our app here) Or FAVOR offers $3 GEM delivery (sometimes even $1). You won’t even have to leave your home or office!! Call us at either location. Can’t wait to see you at daybreak!!

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