The Official Blog of The GEM.

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

Tag Archives: cilantro


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.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave


Weed of Wonder: Cilantro, the Great De-toxifier.

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 3 Comments on Weed of Wonder: Cilantro, the Great De-toxifier.

Don’t take this SUPER LEAF for granted. This herb is not just a random garnish found next to the salsa on the condiment bar at Taco Cabana.

It’s a powerful natural detoxifier.

There are many well-documented benefits of organic cilantro. One super cool fact is that Cilantro might just be one of nature’s best chelation agents.

The chemical compounds in cilantro actually bind to heavy metals, loosening them from the tissues, blood and organs. Cilantro’s chemical compounds then help move these harmful substances out of the body. Mercury excess is a common problem that may be the result of metallic teeth fillings or over-consumption of predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish.

But wait, there’s MORE!  Cilantro also …

  • Eases symptoms of arthritis due to its powerful anti-inflammatory capacities
  • Maintains healthy cholesterol levels
  • Brings relief for stomach gas, prevention of flatulence (your friends and family will thank you) and an overall digestive aid
  • Wards off urinary tract infections
  • Helps reduce feelings of nausea
  • Eases hormonal mood swings
  • Helps promote healthy liver function
  • Loads of anti-oxidants that eat up those nasty free radicals in our body…things that make us old and creaky.

STATS for this humble backyard herb: 

15% of folates (recommended daily allowance per 100g)
11% of vitamin B-6
45% of vitamin C
225% of vitamin A
258% of vitamin K, one of the richest herbal sources
22% of iron
18% of manganese

This weed has flown under the radar for too long. Cilantro deserves a bowl full of respect!

So how can you get more of this super green? Add it to soups, sprinkle it on salads, douse it on dips. Too much to think about?

Have someone do it for you! Get a double dose of cilantro love when you hang out at The GEM. You can find cilantro in the soon-to-be famous GEM Quinoa Salad and Jalapeno Pesto. Hustle down and get you some cilantro!