Category Archives: Supplements

Bring The GEM Goodness Home – Part Five: Matcha

Posted on July 11, 2017 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Bring The GEM Goodness Home – Part Five: Matcha

It’s no secret that superfoods are super for you – today’s focus is on Matcha. Superfoods pack an exceptionally healthy and healing punch to your nutrition.

Wrapping up our series on superfoods and why we love them so much is Matcha.

Matcha is a Japanese ceremonial tea made from super high-quality tea leaves that are shade-grown and harvested without stems and veins. These chlorophyll rich green leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder.

What makes matcha so special? You consume the whole tea leaf, not just water infused with tea leaves, which means you consume all of the antioxidants and rich chlorophyll in the leaf. Matcha contains about half the caffeine of coffee, yet tends to cause a more even, long-term energy rise. It’s a cool fact because Matcha contains an amino acid that allows your body to process the caffeine differently—without the jitters and the crash. It’s a CALM ENERGY! MATCHA makes us:

YOUNG & PRETTY: Anti-aging free radical fighter. Absorbs free radicals (the ORAC value) is one of the highest in the super-food realm, at about 1348 units per serving. This is one bad ass antioxidant.
HEALTHY: CANCER HATER. Especially high in an antioxidant called (EGCG). It has up to 137 times the amount of EGCG as other infused green teas. EGCG has shown promising results in helping fight against cancer and HIV.
THINNER: Metabolism Booster. Can increase metabolism rate, which holds promise for faster fat loss.
ENERGETIC yet ZEN: Keep calm and carry on with a spring in your step. It has a unique calming effect strangely coupled with an energy lift from caffeine and other elements from the tea leaf.

As with all teas, quality is super important. And cheaper is definitely not better. You want to purchase your Matcha tea from a reputable source. And yes, it should be Japanese and organic. We are proud of our Japanese Matcha—it’s been quite the search!!

AT HOME Application: Use matcha in smoothies, lattes and salad dressings. How to make tea? Use a teaspoon of the magic green powder with a third of a cup of hot water (not boiling!). Then mix it with a bamboo whisk (or a latte whip) and you are ready to go.

INSIDE THE GEM App: OUR chopped veggie salad is dressed with an amazing spicy matcha vinaigrette. Super umami (that’s yummy in Japanese)! Our Matcha Latte made with housemade cashew milk is SERIOUSLY THE BEST THING GOING for your morning ritual.

Now you know why we love superfoods and the benefits they provide and how easy it is to add them to your daily routine! Bring the benefits home with our GEM at HOME collection or swing by and let us whip something up for you.

Believe us, you’ll be a believer once you see and feel the difference they make!

Bring The GEM Goodness Home – Part Four: Spirulina

Posted on June 27, 2017 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Bring The GEM Goodness Home – Part Four: Spirulina

Spirulina — the health benefits of spirulina are undeniable. Spirulina is hailed as a superfood that promotes body and brain health.

We continue our blog series with the goal of sharing the many benefits and virtues of superfoods. The GEM at HOME collection of superfood supplements makes it easy to incorporate nature’s most nutrient dense foods into your daily routine.

Now, more about spirulina … One of the oldest life forms on Earth, this blue-green algae has reached powerhouse status. This nutrient-rich substance boasts its fair share of health promoting properties. It is rich in chlorophyll, and powered by the sun.

Consumers of spirulina notice an increase in energy and overall health. It balances pH to reduce inflammation, the root cause of illness and disease. It may be one of the best sources of protein and you aren’t eating it.

More about this beauty:

CLEAN & HEALTHY: removes toxins from the blood, curbs effects from radiation, and boosts the immune system
YOUNG: fights the aging process, high antioxidant properties
SMART: protects the brain and detoxifies the liver and kidneys
SKINNY: curbs appetite and promotes weight loss

At HOME Application: Add it to your regimen slowly or you may experience detoxing ill effects. Add a ½ teaspoon to a smoothie or even your juice.

GEM Life App: Daily Bright Like a Diamond Shots pack a seriously energizing punch.

Inside The GEM at Forest or on Luther, we would LOVE to wax lyrical some more with you about this superfood. Bring some home today!

BTW, There will be no blog next week due to the holiday week.

But fear not, our blog series will continue the week of July 10th.

Until then, Peace. Happy. Freedom. GEMs!

Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer – Part 3: Hemp

Posted on June 20, 2017 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer – Part 3: Hemp

We launched the current blog series with the goal of extolling the virtues and benefits of superfoods, like hemp, and how you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine whether you are picking something up at The GEM or cooking something up at home.

Our GEM at HOME collection of superfood supplements is a great way to reap the benefits of nature’s most nutrient dense foods in your own home.

Last week, we enlightened you on the benefits of Chia.

THIS WEEK, WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HEMP. WE HEART IT!

Not to be confused with the stuff Cheech and Chong made so famous, this miracle seed is actually a distant cousin. So, get those thoughts out of your head. For better or worse, the “high” you can get with hemp is only from your body singing from all the goodness.

Why is it so good? It’s packed with protein for one thing. It has more protein than meat, fish or tofu. Say wha?? Forks over Knives, for sure!

Hemp makes you …

THIN AND FULL: This superfood keeps your weight in check because its protein and fiber aid in satiety, and keeps you from the munchies. HA! A diet rich in hemp also promotes digestive regularity. Giddy up cowboy!

SMARTER and LIVE LONGER: It’s one of the few Omega-3 sources found in plants. The Omega-3 fatty acids enhance brain function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, and may even ward off Alzheimer’s disease.

EVEN KEEL: It regulates hormone fluctuations and promotes alleviation of menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. That sounds like happiness in a bag to me!

PRETTIER!: It stimulates skin and hair growth, maintains bone health, regulates metabolism and helps with brain function. Hemp also helps keep your blood sugar level, which is an important way to defy age and prevent disease.

AT HOME Application: Use hemp milk in your smoothies as a dairy substitute. Just 3 tablespoons give you a whopping 15 grams of protein. Sprinkle the seeds on your oatmeal or add them to your salads.

GEM Life Application: We make our hemp milk from scratch every day and use it as a dairy alternative in our Super Sapphire, Sparkle Berry and PCD smoothies. Add hemp seeds as a protein, fiber and healthy fat boost in our STEEL CUT OATMEAL, FOYO PARFAIT or any smoothie! DELISH.

Bring home some hemp today! Next week, we sing the praises of Spirulina!

Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer – Part Two: Chia

Posted on June 12, 2017 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer – Part Two: Chia

Superfoods, like chia, help us in so many ways – increased energy levels, protection against disease, slow the aging process – and finding a way to incorporate them into your daily routine is easier than you think.

As we discussed in last week’s post, superfood supplements are a great way to add a healthy punch to your diet. Whether you are adding them to something you are cooking up at home with our GEM at HOME collection or picking something up at The GEM, the benefits of these mighty GEMS will put a little zip in your step and do your body some good.

Last week’s post covered all things good about Maca.

This week, we are going to talk about chia, as in Ch-ch-ch-chia!

It is that same little seed as those weird little ceramic animal planters on the infomercials! Chia seeds are loaded with the most essential fatty acids of any known plant.

STRONG: Chia means “strength” in the Mayan culture, creating sustainable energy for those who consume it.
SATISFIED and REGULAR: super rich in colon cleansing, tummy-filling fiber

One ounce of these miracle seeds contain:

Fiber: 11 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s)
Calcium: 18% of the RDA
Manganese: 30% of the RDA
Magnesium: 30% of the RDA
Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA

AT HOME Application: Chia seeds are tasteless. Blend them into smoothies without anyone even noticing! Add the seeds to oatmeal, smoothies or make chia pudding if you are so inclined!

GEM Life Application: Super Sapphire Smoothie already contains it. Or add into any smoothie for a creamier drink or into your juice for a little extra panache.

Next week, we wax poetic on the virtues of Hemp. But until then, remember to bring The GEM goodness home!

Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer!

Posted on June 5, 2017 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 5 Comments on Bring The GEM Goodness Home This Summer!

Inside The GEM, we constantly talk about specific nutrient dense foods classified as SUPERFOODS which is inspiration behind GEM at Home.

Superfoods may exist as actual foods such as dandelion, quinoa or kale, or in more of a supplemental form like hemp seed, maca or matcha. This group supplements pack an exceptionally healthy and healing punch to your nutrition.

Our GEM at HOME collection offers you a way to bring The GEM Goodness into your own kitchen. Maybe you aren’t sure why you need these amazing additions to your daily routine. Have no fear, dear GEMs! The next few posts promise to enlighten and encourage: letting you know what these things are, how to use them at home OR inside The GEM, and why you will look and feel better using them.

Superfoods help us feel more energetic, provide protection against disease such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and promote a longer, happier and healthier life and slow the ageing process.

We’ve narrowed seemingly hundreds of superfood supplements down to just a few so you can think straight about it! We use them inside The GEM everyday. YOU CAN TOO! The series will include benefits along with a daily application you can do at home or just swing by and let us do it for you! Dive in to health. You’re worth it!

Let’s get started with Maca.

This superfood made from a South American root, dates back at least 3,000 years ago. Maca nourishes and enhances the endocrine system, which controls functions that are:

SEXY: fertility and sexual function, libido
COOL: balances hormones, improves PMS and menopause symptoms
HAPPY: brain and nervous system including mood moderation
SHINY & CHILL: helps increase energy, stamina AND calms the stress response (supports the adrenal glands)

Maca is considered to be adaptogenic, meaning works in the body according to the needs of the person taking it – allowing folks of all ages to benefit from taking it regularly. Magic Maca is more like it!

AT HOME Application: Add this nutty, caramel-ish powdered gem to your daily smoothies, lattes or sprinkle it on your oatmeal!

GEM Life Application: Crown Jewel, Tahitian Pearl smoothies. It is amazing added into our French Pressed coffee with frothed cashew milk.

Six Tips for Feeding Healthy Teens [Part Two in Four-Part Series]

Posted on February 16, 2016 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 4 Comments on Six Tips for Feeding Healthy Teens [Part Two in Four-Part Series]

We need to get teens back to healthy foods.

So how do you start? It is daunting. And I don’t suggest coming in full swing with a super-sized bag of kale chips and quinoa burgers. That is an invitation for a full on revolt. Start slowly. It’s not EVER too late to start. Just two weeks to form a habit.

SIX TIPS FOR FEEDING HEALTHY TEENS

1. MAKE IT RELEVANT. This is my favorite, and the most impactful way to convince your child of anything. In order for healthy options to sink in, teens must believe the message has specific reference to them. Long term health challenges will NOT resonate with them. Let them know nutrition affects their growth, their emotions, their academic and sports performance, their appearance, or whatever seems to be the most important to the teen during that particular week.

How?

Appeal to their vanity. Tell your daughter that eating lots more green leafy vegetables and less dairy/sugar will make her skin glow and eliminate breakouts, you have her ear. Talk to them about the correlation between nutritious food and acne. Want to grow? Talk about foods that promote growth and foods that don’t: promote calcium-rich foods and let them know soft drinks contain calcium depleting phosphoric acid, which can interfere with bone growth.

Appeal to their competitive nature. If you tell your son that he will play much better basketball if he doesn’t choose to drink the milkshake and chicken fingers before a game, he will listen.

Appeal to their academic drive: Tell your teen that eating grilled wild salmon and broccoli before exams and they will think more clearly. You at least have a chance!

BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT RELEVANT.

2. Model good nutrition. You must model healthy eating habits. You cannot preach to them! We all know how well that usually ends. Show your teens how to make healthier choices so they learn the connection between good food and good health.

Want them to eat healthier? Buy and cook healthier!! Have easy to grab options ALWAYS available. This IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT. If you have good food in your fridge, you will eat good food. If you have a bowl of washed strawberries and grapes, they will eat them. Have a plate of veggies, hummus, and sliced apples out when they come home from school. Guacamole and fresh pico? They will eat it! Homemade organic popcorn is always a crowd pleaser.

How?

Let your teens help shop for healthy foods that they like and let them prepare their own meals/snacks.
Keep junk food out of the house or to a minimum. AND find “cleaner” junk foods. Those made without harmful chemicals, sweeteners and dyes.
Make extra when cooking dinner so they can use leftovers! (extra brown rice, chicken, pasta, brisket). I keep grass fed taco meat in the fridge to quickly make quesadillas after school.
Sneak spinach into smoothies.
The key is to be ready. Don’t wait for them to start rummaging through the kitchen. They will snack on what is in front of them. So have it out!

3. Eat more QUALITY protein at every meal. The growing teenage brain needs protein. Protein gives the body the building blocks it needs to repair and renew, and it also serves as a source of energy. But Quality Matters. Try wild fish, organic free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, pastured eggs. I keep a pot of beans ready at any given moment. Nut butters are also good sources of protein—just make sure they are all natural and not loaded with sugars.

4. Get more vitamins. Even if they were perfect eaters, they cannot get all of the nutrients they need from their food sources (soil depletion, environment, stress, etc.). Our teens need at least 20 to 30 percent more of their daily requirements of nearly all the vitamins. These three are imperative:

Multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement is imperative. Cells are powered by nutrients. Vitamin D alone powers 200 reactions in the body and without it teens will be prone to depression/anxiety. Without enough B vitamins, and B12 (found in proteins) teens will feel lethargic, low in energy. Zinc has been nicknamed the “new anti-depressant”– it boosts mood and appetite and helps kids think. Look for organic, plant based vitamins from reputable companies like New Chapter and Nordic Naturals.

Probiotics. Our immune system primarily resides in our digestive tract. The healthy bacteria that we need has been sabotaged with processed foods, antibiotics, and other chemical stresses we put on our bodies. Probiotics bring the good bacteria back so it can fight off illness, enhance digestion, remedies constipation and believe it or not, improves mood and thinking.

Fish Oil. Good omega fats nourish the brains, the nervous system. Combats mood disorders, fights inflammation, great for their joints too. Quality matters!

CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOUR TEENAGERS.

5. Pantry clean out. Throw out foods with ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORS and SWEETENERS. PERIOD. Artificial sweeteners are KNOWN to cause 93 unsavory side effects from brain tumors. Memory loss, to hair loss. Food colorings (banned in Europe) are known to cause tumors, ADHD, allergies among lots of other infuriating problems. These are definite NOs in our house.

READ THE LABELS. Take a look at the ingredient labels on your food package. Even the simplest of foods will have more chemicals in them than you can count, much less pronounce.

Fill your kitchen with real, fresh foods whenever possible. Even replacing super bad junk with organic, non-GMO junk is a non-toxic step in the right direction. Shop at Whole Foods, Central Market, even Tom Thumb offers cleaner options. Also, if you haven’t already, check out Thrive Market.

AND THE LAST THING …
6. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Without question this is true, especially for kids. For brain development, their daily energy levels, their ability to focus. Protein rich eggs, oatmeal, breakfast tacos, plant-based protein smoothies. These are great!! Fruit Loops ARE NOT AN OPTION. Sugary cereals and drinks have no place at breakfast—their brains have nothing to function with, and the sugar spike and drop makes them sluggish and cranky.

Getting your kids to eat a good breakfast is simple–if you just do a little planning.

Make it for them! It may be your only chance of the day to influence their choices. If you are not a morning person, prepare the night before–put out plates, glasses and put ingredients together ready to go from the fridge. Place their vitamins in ramekins at their place setting. Plan to get up 15 minutes early to scramble those eggs. It makes all the difference. Added bonus: Breakfast can be a great way to spend a moment with your kids—that you otherwise might not have!!

At the end of the day, it is about a lifestyle change, not a week or so of regimented consumption. A healthy routine paves the way to a vibrant future of health and happiness! If you’d like to dig deeper, we can help you get there!

So you and your teenager can experience daily GEM goodness after school, we’ve extended our hours to stay open until 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. YEP. WE ARE OPEN UNTIL 6.

Next up … What DO you feed those kids? Stay tuned for great snack ideas.

5 Ways to Get Clean in the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2016 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on 5 Ways to Get Clean in the New Year

Well, it’s officially over … glitter, sparklers, gluttony, booze and stress. Are you dull and puffy? Bloated and irritable? It’s time to hit the reset button and get clean.

Get into a balanced eating regime. You’ve got to Detox Your Body! It’s not as hard as you think.

While your liver is the disco queen of detoxification, she becomes sluggish when abused. Toxins back up and cause all kinds of issues that reveal your liver is unhappy. When you over-eat, consume excess sugar, alcohol and don’t get enough sleep, the body’s ability to detox naturally slows — which then sits stagnant in your liver and fat cells. Gross.

Here are five ways to get clean in the New Year:

Drink 32 ounces of lemon water first thing in the AM, which kick starts your metabolism and flushes toxins immediately.
Shoot 1-2 teaspoons of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Alkalizing, cleansing, healing. Just do it. Other goodness: powerful herbs and roots like ginger, turmeric, fennel, green tea and peppermint are also huge health boosters and detoxifiers, and New Chapter’s Herbal Detoxification supplements include a little of everything good in this world.
Practice 20 minutes of yoga or 10 minutes of meditation. Calm your mind, set your intention and let go of toxic thoughts.
DRINK Daily Green Juice. This goodness instantly detoxes your system and energizes your body and soul. You don’t have to be on a juice cleanse to get your daily dose of health-boosting nutrients. Celery, lemon, leafy greens, beets and cucumber are some of the ways to keep your digestive system happy and bloat-free everyday. Find some of these heroes in a Radiant Glow.
DUMP dairy, gluten and sugar for seven days. This will accelerate your detoxification, make you lighter, brighter and ready to take on the new year. It will help you make better choices and show you where your demons lie. A GEM juice cleanse is a great way to kick start. Do it with a friend!

At the end of the day, it is about a lifestyle change, not a week or so of regimented consumption. Find things that work for you and add them into your daily life. A healthy routine paves the way to a vibrant future of health and happiness!

Need more information and motivation? We can help you get there with our Day In the Life of A GEM Series beginning Wednesday nights this January 13. Our series consists of four small group counseling sessions that reveal step-by-step details of what a healthy day should look like. It’s an amazing group! Learn more about it here.

AND … drum roll please! So you don’t miss out on getting your daily GEM goodness, in the new year we are extending our hours to stay open until 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. YEP. WE ARE OPEN UNTIL 6 p.m.

See you at The Gem!

5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Winter

Posted on December 15, 2015 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 3 Comments on 5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Winter

This season brings with it happy holidays and festive parties. It also brings stress, less exercise, and more time indoors which equals a greater risk of getting sick with colds and flu. Want to stay strong, boost your immune system, and increase your chances of staying shiny, bright and well this winter? Read on (hint: it’s not just about more vitamin C):

TIP #1: FEED YOUR GUT good bacteria. Our gastrointestinal system is the center of immunity. Maintaining a healthy gut flora is key to strengthening our immune system and helping to prevent illness.

Probiotics, or “good” bacteria, diminish inflammation in the gut and thus help fight illness. So, during this season especially, make sure you’re consuming probiotic-packed foods, like sauerkraut or organic miso. Daily shots of raw apple cider vinegar will also help. Add a probiotic supplement – it’s imperative. We love BIO KULT because it doesn’t need refrigeration, which makes it easier to carry.

TIP #2: BOOST YOUR DIET. Sure, Vitamin C will help keep your immune system strong, so include foods like oranges, blueberries, peppers and broccoli. But don’t just focus on one nutrient.

Eat a whole food, plant-based diet with lots of in-season vegetables like winter greens, yams, carrots, and squash. Our LENTIL SOUP, made from scratch, packs rich vegetable nutrients into a warm cup of ridiculous yumminess.
If you struggle to consume the recommended 8 servings of veggies each day, try juicing them! Drink juices that consist of 3/4 vegetables and 1/4 fruit. Our RUBY SLIPPER, a blend of carrot, beet, lemon, ginger and cucumber is a stress-busting combination that will fortify your immune system. A GREEN GLOW has been known to cure all that ails you! Add ginger and lemon boosts too.
Use lots of herbs and spices. Turmeric and ginger are possibly 2 of the most anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting spices you can consume. Daily IMMUNITY SHOTS at The GEM part of your ticket to staying well. Buy the IMMUNITY MIX (turmeric, ginger, lemon) in 8 ounce bottles and make your own super powered ImmuniTEA with raw honey. It’s SO good!
Vitamin D deficiencies also contribute to our susceptibility to illness. Sunlight AND a D3 supplement will help do the trick.
Immune boosting SUPERFOODS such as our ADAPTOGEN drops with medicinal mushroom tincture is the final gloss on ensuring your health for the season. If you do find yourself feeling a little under the weather, start immediately with our COLDS COCKTAIL, a tonic that helps push that cold on through.

TIP #3: MANAGE STRESS. Stress triggers the production of cortisol, a hormone that weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. People who are under more stress are twice as likely to develop colds when exposed to them than those who are chill. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing – these are KEY to managing stress. Don’t skip over this. It’s important.

TIP #4: DON’T SKIP THE EXERCISE. Moderate EXERCISE is cleansing, moderates stress levels, and bolsters immunity. 30 minutes a day. End of story.

TIP #5: GET GOOD SLEEP. Sleep offers your body time to repair and restore your system. 7-8 hours is the minimum. The nights are longer in the winter for a reason: your body needs more sleep to stay well and strong.

Stay healthy, my friends! And see you inside THE GEM.

December Bloat Buster: The Cleanse

Posted on December 10, 2013 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on December Bloat Buster: The Cleanse

December is a crazy month of parties, fun, stress, eating, drinking, the list goes on and on. You may think there’s no point in a cleanse before the holidays.

Peace. Happy.
Juice Cleanse.

So wrong!

In fact, it’s almost a must that you cleanse right now. You may believe cleansing as a short, intense retreat into super-restricted eating that you do after lots of binge-ing. This doesn’t have to be the case. It can be a daily practice. There’s no wrong season for clean eating.

Daily Cleansing is a great way to get you through the holidays without taking on excess toxins and destructive eating habits.

A Daily Cleanse will:

Rid your body of the toxins that stimulate cravings. It’s hard enough to turn down all the sweets, eggnog and mashed potatoes – you certainly don’t need your body begging you to gorge on this stuff.
Create a healthy balance. You don’t need to feel completely restricted when you are cleansing. Your body can recover from a few cocktails or a piece of cake if it’s coming from a place of optimal health.
Keep you feeling in control. There is something very empowering about having a regimen of clean eating. Mindfulness of it all can be an incredible weapon in your quest for vibrance.

Many people are scared to commit to cleansing right now because you think you have to miss out on everything that is fun and social. That is simply NOT true.

Yes, a full GEM juice cleanse is amazing and makes you feel like a million bucks, but that doesn’t always fit into our social schedules.

Try our Juice til Dinner, or even doing a day in the life of a GEM. The menu below is how we roll on a daily basis. You can live a cleansing lifestyle and still enjoy delicious, tasty food.

FIRST THING UPON WAKING: 32 oz. filtered water with lemon and take a Bio Kult probiotic and Nordic Natural Ultimate Omegas.

Green Glow by 8
Radiant Glow or a GEM smoothie by 10, plus more water
Lentil soup and kale salad for lunch
Flawless at 4, plus 16 oz of water
If you are staying in, consider Arugula and Mushroom salad and some hummus for dinner. Alongside a chopped veggie salad. The food is so vibrant and nutrient dense that you cannot over do it.

The Dinner Party: If you are going out, see the tips below:

Keep a Small 3 Bean Salad or small quinoa in your fridge. Eat it before you go out to your cocktail party. This will help keep you satisfied and eliminate the crazy craving for too much bad stuff.
Stay away from the puff pastries, the cheese tray, the pasta. Find the shrimp, the veggie and hummus platter, the sushi. Once you’ve had one type of appetizer, don’t revisit it. You know what it tastes like, now stop.
Really try to keep the alcohol to a minimum. Your sugar levels spike and your willpower plummets. You don’t have to completely restrict yourself to feel good in the morning! This is a great way to keep your cravings in check or bounce back after last night’s office party.
Remember the party is about the socializing and friendships. Save the whale feeding for another time.

Don’t put this off until the New Year. Take charge of your life now. Indulging isn’t about throwing all caution to the wind, it’s about finding balance. You can have both during the holiday months.

Make this holiday your happiest and healthiest and GEM~miest yet.

The Good, the Fat & the Fish Oils (Omega-3s)

Posted on October 1, 2013 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on The Good, the Fat & the Fish Oils (Omega-3s)

There are healthy fats. Good ones. Ones that are crucial to health and vitality. Ones that enrich our bodies and make our systems run smoothly. One of the MOST important is essential Omega-3 fatty acid. Vegetarian sources like walnuts, kale and spinach provide some version (ALA) of essential fatty acids though the richest and best sources come from oily fish like WILD salmon and WILD halibut (DHA). These foods should most definitely be incorporated into your weekly routine.

But can you get enough healthy fats that way?

Not really. You need more. High-quality fish oil supplements provide concentrated, clean nutrition that supports healthy brain function, eye health, cardiovascular health and joint health, just to name a few.

Without question, everyone should take high quality Omega-3 fish oil supplements.

Why? Fish oils contain essential fatty acids, which are nutritional cornerstones of human health. We must have these healthy fats in our system (they are essential), but our bodies do not make them. We must therefore consume them through diet or supplementation.

What are Omegas good for? Emotional, physical, oxidative stress causes inflammation in our bodies. Omega-3s quell the inflammation and promotes a healthy, happy and highly functioning system. So, you say, like what?

Omega-3s for the Heart – Increased intake of Omega–3s in fish oil—enhances overall heart function. Even the American Heart Association states that great benefits come from eating WILD fish at least twice a week, and taking fish oils. Its website, interestingly enough, is full of info on how to transform your lifestyle if you are starting from the bottom. Of course, they also have a section on how to make fast food friendlier … “don’t order the double meat and bacon” to which The GEM says, “stay the hell out of the drive-thru line.”
Omega-3s for the Brain & Mood – This is super-important and I’ve seen first hand its benefits. Evidence indicates fish oil benefits mental health and healthy brain function in all stages of life. Our brains are composed of nearly 60% fat*, so supplementing with these vital fats provide necessary building blocks for healthy cells and tissue. Supports memory and learning ability and promotes positive mood and well-being. SOLD! It’s a “no-brainer.” (*Don’t forget the water when thinking of good brain function too!)
Omega-3s for Kids! Brain function, mood, attention – Children have the most to gain from these essential fats for visual, brain and immune system development, and for normal emotional and cognitive function. Omega 3s also support focus and attention. Dr. Kenneth Bock is a big proponent of fish oil supplementation in “Healing the New Child Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies.” Essential fatty acids have been shown to positively impact children in LOTS of ways. Along with a healthy diet that includes WILD fish and fresh green leafy vegetables, supplementing with a premium fish oil product is a great way to ensure your family is nourishing brain and body.
Omega-3s for the Back and Joints – These “fat guys”can actually help to alleviate pain associated with physical stress to the back and joints. The nourishing fat promotes back and joint health and flexibility.
Omega–3s for Hair, Skin & Nails – Our skin is the largest organ in the human body and is often the first visual indicator of an essential fatty acid deficiency. Omega-3s nourish & protect against age–related damage, hydrates skin by retaining natural moisture, and supports a clear and healthy complexion. Another way to GET YOUR GLOW ON.

This sounds awesome, right?

Despite the great health benefits of Omegas, most of us suffer from Omega–3 deficiency. With a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and wild oily fish like salmon, along with high quality supplements you can begin to nourish, heal and protect your system.

Make these supplements a priority.

How much should I take?

Dr. Andrew Weil recommends eating oily fleshed, wild caught, cold water fish 2-3 times per week. He recommends taking a fish oil supplement that provides 700 to 1,000 mg of EPA and 200 to 500 mg of DHA daily in the smallest number of pills.

Which ones should I take?

It is critical to get the highest quality, freshest fish oils—purity is key: free from toxins, heavy metals, PCBs. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

The only brand The GEM girls take is Nordic Naturals, who has a 3^rd party analyze that the products stick to strict standards. The Ultimate Omegas are the finest on the market and we offer these inside The GEM. Nordic Naturals brand is AWESOME both as a company and for their products. These folks know their stuff!

The Official Blog of The GEM.