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

Category Archives: EAT CLEAN


Fight Back Against Cold and Flu With Boosted Immunity

Posted on February 4, 2026 by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on Fight Back Against Cold and Flu With Boosted Immunity

 

The cold weather took a while to arrive this year, but something else was right on time: cold and flu season! Sniffles and fevers are running rampant, especially after the chaos of the holidays and kids back to school, but we’re here to help!  

Our Favorite Ways to Boost Immunity  

Drink water! We can’t say it enough! When you wake up, before you’ve eaten anything else, reach for a large glass  of water! Drink as much water as you can, with a goal of about 32 ounces to start the day.. Hydration enhances metabolism, promotes glowy skin, flushes your organs, boosts energy and keeps you strong and healthy to fight back against viruses and bacteria. Some other ways to maintain maximum hydration? Keep a refillable water bottle in your car, and drink a cup or two of herbal, caffeine-free tea before bed! 

Eat clean. It might seem obvious, but you are what you eat! A diet high in fruits and vegetables (especially organic!) supports a healthy and thriving immune system. And some foods are truly SUPER foods that can really boost your system! Double down on these immunity boosters during these cold & flu months:

  • Pack in citrus fruits and leafy greens! Packed with vitamin C, citrus fruits and greens increase your white blood cells and have anti-inflammatory properties. Start adding a daily green smoothie or green juice into your routine (The Emerald City smoothie and Disco juice are some of our favorites!) The Maui GEM smoothie is packed with Vitamin C, and makes you think you are on a beach somewhere warm. Secret hack: add an Immunity Shot and Spinach for a triple threat boost!
  • Heat up some bone broth. Bone broth (like our delicious Immunity Broth) is packed with amino acids and nutrients that reduce inflammation, support gut health and assist in producing infection-fighting white blood cells. Plus it’s easy to work into your regimen by using the nourishing broth to make soups, rice and other grains. Try freezing it in small batches to make it last longer.
  • Try turmeric and ginger. Everyone knows these powerhouses! And for good reason. Turmeric and ginger are anti-inflammatory and have antioxidants that support overall wellness, fight inflammation and aid digestion! Plus, we have PLENTY of options at the GEM! Make our Hot Immuni-Tea  with local raw honey your morning ritual, or the ever popular Immunity Shot with lemon, ginger and turmeric combined. Keep a large bulk bottle of our Immunity Mix and add it to your own tea or juices at home. It’s a quick and easy daily fix!

Get plenty of GOOD sleep. Sleep is so important to maintain and strengthen your immunity! It might be the NUMBER ONE way to stay healthy. Pick a decent bedtime hour to get at least 7 to 9 HOURS and stick to it! Don’t forget to practice good sleep hygiene. You’ll notice a difference right away in energy, and underneath, you’ll be building up a strong immunity to keep you happy and dancing all winter long! 

Fighting back against cold and flu has never been easier with the GEM! Drink water, get lots of sleep, and order one (or a few!) of these GEM favs for pickup today to feel the full effect that a healthy immune system can make! Wishing you the coziest, sickness-free winter GEMs!


5 Eat Clean Practices for a Fall Glow

Posted on September 23, 2025 by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on 5 Eat Clean Practices for a Fall Glow

5 Eat Clean Practices for a Fall Glow

5 Eat Clean Practices for a Fall Glow

After the summer and travel, with the back to school chaos and grind, fall is full of distractions that can make it hard to focus on eating in a way that fuels your body! Our program, Original G·E·M·S Life, is designed to help you stay on track through the hustle and bustle of the one of the busiest times of the year.

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

Taking part in Original G·E·M·S Life simply involves doing four daily practices, one in each of these categories: Gratitude, Eat Clean, Movement, Shine. Eat Clean practices include our tried-and-true food rules that keep your body at its best.

By adding one of these EAT CLEAN practices to your Original G·E·M·S Life you can rest assured you’re doing right by your body giving you just what you need to feel great. 

5 Eat Clean Practices for a Fall/Back to Business GLOW

  • STAY HYDRATED. This is a must. Start your day by drinking 32 oz of water. Carry a reusable water bottle with you when you are out. Focus on eating water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, celery. Our Perform Sports Hydration drink or Strawberry Kiss Cooler are fantastic ways to keep electrolytes in check. Oftentimes we mistake hunger for thirst when really, our bodies are simply dehydrated!
  • HEALTHY SNACKS. With the changing weather it can be easy to fall back on poor eating habits. Make sure you have a healthy, nutrient-dense snack on you in case you feel peckish. Our new all organic Crush & Crumble bar is loaded with 12g of  protein and satisfying fiber. It’s a secret weapon for hunger cravings!
  • FOCUS ON GREENS. Focusing on adding extra green veggies is paramount in keeping energy levels high. Try adding greens to smoothies, sauces, soups, or even rice! One of our favorite ways to jazz up our grains: blend garlic, cilantro, and spinach in your blender with a cup of GEM immunity broth, then use it to cook your rice or quinoa!
  • DITCH THE TRENDY DIET. We get it, we want the quick fix! But following the newest trendy diet isn’t the best way to look and feel your best. You need to focus on daily healthy changes to your habits, like water intake, exercise and eating clean. One of our favorite daily habits: drinking a fresh GEM organic juice every day. It keeps you hydrated, boosts immunity and energy, manages blood sugar levels, and reduces cravings. Small changes, big impact! 
  • INDULGE RESPONSIBLY. We all have our treats and indulgences! And whatever your treat is, don’t deprive yourself! But be sure to keep the portions manageable, and don’t eat other indulgences, especially just because they are there! Make your splurges worth it. 

It’s easy to get tired and burned out in the fall frenzy of our lives, and your health can suffer. You can take control by including one (or all!) of these Eat Clean practices from Original G·E·M·S Life and cruise into fall  with habits that will benefit you for a lifetime!

You need this boost of Original G·E·M·S Life!

Shine Brighter all the time with an Original G·E·M·S Life, a daily playbook based on 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, and Shine. Add in more practices and grow with the program when you’re ready and create your own Original G·E·M·S Life! Get started today!


New at the GEM: The Crush & Crumble Protein Bar!

Posted on June 24, 2025 by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on New at the GEM: The Crush & Crumble Protein Bar!

Crush & Crumble Protein Bar

Crush & Crumble Protein Bar

When we say “protein bar,” you might think of a sad tan brick, crinkled from being in your pocket, with little to no flavor, and we agree! Most protein bars found in the grocery store are not only dry and flavorless, but they are also packed full of sugar and questionable ingredients that could do more harm than good. Unfortunately, many of us are inclined to grab a sad protein bar when we are in a rush, or during a busy day when we have no other option. 

Until now! Just in time for summer, we are releasing our brand new bar, the Crush & Crumble protein bar! We wanted to create a protein bar that actually does what it claims it does: deliver a pack of healthy protein, while being small enough to take with you, and tasting absolutely delicious! But this one has none of the hidden junk and is made with 100% honestly organic ingredients. 

 

Try for FREE with a $30 purchase at the GEM! Order for pick up now!

*Use code PROTEIN30. Valid until 6.26.2025. One offer per customer. 

 

What’s inside? 

The Crush & Crumble Bar contains a whopping 12 grams of protein with only nine ingredients! All of which are great support for your body as a snack on the go: 

  • Puffed quinoa: Natural protein and fiber 
  • Tahini: More protein! And healthy fats. 
  • Honey: Antioxidants and heart health. 
  • Chia seed: Heart health, digestion, and managing blood sugar. 
  • Hemp seed: Protein, fiber, omega-3s. 
  • Sesame seed: Hearth health, digestion, and bone health.
  • Pumpkin seed: Immunity, heart health, and digestion.  
  • Epic Original Protein: Carefully sourced organic plant proteins of yellow pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, cranberry seed, and sacha inchi.
  • Sea salt: For a boost of flavor and hydration. 

 

Favorite Ways to Eat the Crush & Crumble Protein Bar 

The Crush & Crumble Bar is nutty, creamy, crunchy, and a bit salty and sweet in the best way. Ever since we created it, we eat one every day at least. Even our employees are obsessed! Our GEM general manager has one every morning. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy the Crush & Crumble Bar. 

  • Bright and early: Packed with nutrients, the Crush & Crumble is a great grab-and-go breakfast.  
  • As your favorite snack: Cure the mid-day slump with the bar’s punch of protein and power your way through the day.
  • Punch up your coffee: Sweetened to perfection, the Crush & Crumble pairs perfectly with some java!
  • Crisp and cool: A straight-from-the-fridge Crush & Crumble bar makes for a refreshing pick-me-up on sweltering days.
  • As a protein-packed topping: Chop up your bar and sprinkle it over fresh-cut fruit or yogurt.
  • Before bedtime: Pair it with The GEM cashew milk to satisfy your late-night sweet tooth. 

 

But don’t take our word for it — come in today and try the Crush & Crumble protein bar for FREE with a purchase of $30! Use code PROTEIN30 to claim your free bar, valid until July 26th. One offer per customer. 

Kick off the summer with a new GEM favorite that will fuel you in a clean and healthy way through the hottest and busiest time of year. Throw it in your purse or pocket for flights, baseball games, car drives, and more. The opportunities are endless and you’ll never feel better! 


Are you Vegan-curious? Your Questions Answered

Posted on May 15, 2024 by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on Are you Vegan-curious? Your Questions Answered

What exactly is veganism? Could it be for you? With so much talk — and noise — around the term, you may be a little unsure. So we’re here to shine a light on this vibrant way of eating.

What is Veganism?

Veganism is essentially a type of vegetarianism. While the terms are often used interchangeably, vegetarianism is a diet that doesn’t include animals, like meat or fish. Veganism, on the other hand, excludes all animal-derived products including meat, fish, dairy, eggs and even honey! A vegan diet is 100 percent plant-based and consists of grains, beans, nuts, tofu, fruits and vegetables.

Should You Go Vegan?

We can’t answer that question for you. But if you decide to go vegan, you should be clear on your “why.” That will keep you motivated when that dairy-based cheese is calling your name. There are a number of reasons to go vegan, but some of the big ones include

1. Animal ethics
2. Environmental concerns
3. Health benefits

At The GEM, the health benefits are the primary reason we stick with vegan products, but environmental concerns and animal ethics also motivate our choices as well. If you’re thinking about going vegan, you may be wondering how best to do so.

Is a Vegan Diet Healthy?

When implemented properly, a vegan diet CAN be very healthy. However, one must be conscious to strictly follow the rules of a diet with non-processed, protein rich food sources. Junk food is out. Thoughtful, well-prepared foods are in.

Covering Your Essential (Vitamin) Bases

Plant-based foods are rich in anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting, and metabolism-boosting components. And while a strict vegan diet provides an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals, you may want to consider adding some supplements. For instance, incorporating vitamin B12 supplements helps bridge the nutritional gap typically filled by animal products. At The GEM, you also always have the option to enhance your plant-based smoothies boosts like spirulina or E3 Live for that extra nutritional punch!

How Do You Get Your Protein When Vegan?

It’s important to know where to get proper nutrition from plants. Otherwise, you will be hungry, even unhealthy! Protein and fat are critical. If you don’t get enough of both in your diet, you’ll crave sugars that will put your diet in a tailspin. Nourish your body with intention and focus.

Plant foods can be surprisingly rich in protein. The best sources include lentils, chickpeas and tofu. Whole grains such as oats, whole wheat pasta and quinoa can also be great sources of protein. Nuts and seeds will provide the high-fat content your body needs, helping with brain functioning and keeping your belly full!

It’s important to remember that there is a learning curve when deciding to go vegan. (And that’s perfectly normal!) Be smart about it.

What is the GEM POV?

Almost all of the GEM’s options are vegan — the exception being our exclusive organic bone broth crafted by our friends at Stocks & Bondy. After co-owner Leslie’s cancer diagnosis, she followed a vegan diet and remained mostly vegan for several years afterwards. Finding a source of authentic organic vegan food was nearly impossible. Hence the GEM was born! While not strictly vegan today, the GEM remains a safe haven for those searching for the cleanest, organic, nutrient-dense soups, salads and smoothies.

Together our founders Leslie & MK embrace the 80/20 lifestyle, filling 80% of their diet with the good stuff—vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. The remaining 20%? That’s the clean, organic, responsibly-sourced animal product foods (and a few naughty snacks on occasion)! It’s all about balance at The GEM, where every aspect of healthy eating is celebrated.

If you decide to go vegan, you may see incredible results from a vegan diet. And you may want to stick with it for a lifetime — or for shorter periods of time. Our bodies change, thus our needs do too.

Vegan doesn’t have to be a scary word! A proper vegan diet can bring vibrant transformation into your life. Whether you choose to dive fully into veganism or not, there are undeniable benefits to adding abundant plant-based foods to your diet.

Order your favorite vegan snacks online for pick-up now!