The Official Blog of The GEM.

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

Tag Archives: healthy living


Magical, Miracle, MEDICINAL Mushrooms! 

Posted on by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on Magical, Miracle, MEDICINAL Mushrooms! 

This GEM girl loves her some ’shrooms. Miracle Mushrooms. Magical, even, if you will. And not the psychedelic ones you might have “heard” about at a Grateful Dead concert. We’re talking about mushrooms used as food AND medicine. Actually, the practice of using mushrooms in herbal medicines is even older than Jerry Garcia — it been around for over 2000 years!


Ready to feel the power of our Miracle Mushroom Blend? Order for pick up now!


MK and I are OBSESSED with medicinal mushrooms.  So much so that we created our very own GEM-my Miracle Mushroom Powder Blend! 

What’s in Our Medicinal Mushroom Blend?

Our amazing medicinal mushroom blend contains a power squad of reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and turkey tail. We crafted it to help balance and restore your immune system, increase oxygen flow to your cells, amp up your mental and creative sharpness, regulate blood sugar, lower stress levels, promote restful sleep, and more. 

Check out the details below. We are sure you will RUN to The GEM to grab your jar of miracles! It’s simple to use: just add our Miracle Mushroom Powder daily to your coffee, smoothies, even your oatmeal. 

Why Is Our Medicinal Mushroom Blend Effective?  

The unique attributes of the four medicinal mushrooms in our blend make for a powerful energizing punch! Check it out:

Reishi Mushroom Benefits  

  • Improves Sleep 
  • Reduces Stress 
  • Alleviates seasonal allergies
  • Boosts immunity

Reishi has the incredible ability to boost the body’s immune system ability to protect against viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Reishi also works to keep us FOREVER YOUNG. It reduces the signs of aging and protects your cellular DNA from oxidant damage, allowing you to remain energized and alert.

One of the most powerful benefits reishi provides is relief from severe seasonal allergies. When exposed to allergens, the body releases histamines, which cling to cells and cause them to swell and leak fluid — enter the sneezing and runny noses. When you’re taking reishi daily, your allergy symptoms may disappear entirely!

Chaga Mushroom Benefits

  • Wards off the common cold
  • Helps your skin GLOW and your hair GROW!
  • Lowers inflammation due to stress

Like reishi, chaga has astonishing immunity boosting powers. Compounds in chaga can boost the production of white blood cells that regulate the immune response to infectious microorganisms. 

Chaga is also a rich source of antioxidants. In fact, one dose of chaga contains the same number of antioxidants found in 30 pounds of carrots. It contains plenty of zinc and melanin, which are all excellent for keeping skin healthy and reducing inflammation. 

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits

  • Improves memory
  • Boosts concentration
  • Protects your nervous system

Like some of the others, Lion’s Mane is incredibly restorative because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. However, Lion’s Mane’s brain-boosting effects truly distinguish it as a badass fungus.  

Lion’s Mane is believed to repair and regenerate neurons, resulting in improved cognitive function, and the mushroom has been known to mitigate the effects of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits 

Like many other mushrooms, turkey tail is full of super-powered stuff that give it its immunomodulating properties, providing overall immune support and regulation. But what sets turkey tail apart are two of its unique compounds: PSK and PSP that have the ability to regenerate white blood cells and stimulate the activity and creation of T-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, enabling the immune system to ward off and destroy pathogens. 

If you liked what you read, don’t be shy — try out our new Miracle Mushroom Powder Blend today at The GEM!


40 Tons of Love For Mother Earth 🌏

Posted on by The GEM and currently has Comments Off on 40 Tons of Love For Mother Earth 🌏

At The GEM, our passion for green living goes beyond caring for our well-being. The all-organic, plant-based foods we love improve our health AND the health of Mother Earth — and we believe you can’t care about one without caring about the other! That’s why living green has been part of Our Creed since DAY ONE — and why environmental practices go beyond just eating organic. 


Celebrate Earth Day by ordering online for pick up now!


Did you know that last year alone, we composted almost 87,000 POUNDS of food waste?! That means we reduced our carbon footprint by 77,000 pounds!

Thanks to the awesome team at Recycle Revolution, the leading collector of post-consumer food waste in North Texas, we’ve helped nourish gardens, soil, and worm farms all around DFW and reduced our carbon footprint last year by almost 77,000 pounds. 

Since we opened our doors 10 years ago, we’ve composted hundreds of tons of food waste. We’re happy to pay for this service and to do what it takes to help reduce our impact on the environment. 

We know our community is a green community and we want you to be secure knowing that eating at The GEM is an Earth Loving act. By doing that, you’re also: 

  1. Reducing Greenhouse Gasses & Water Use : By eating mostly plants, you’re reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Did you know that almost 15 percent of greenhouse gasses are produced by meat and dairy industries? Farming plants also uses far less water than raising cattle, if you can believe it. 
  2. Limiting Pollution, Water Run Off & Soil Erosion: Organic farming benefits you, the environment AND the farm worker. Think about it, if you’re not exposed to harmful chemicals, neither is the person picking your food or the water that runs off the farm. The practices of organic farms also reduce soil erosion and greenhouse gasses and improve the quality of soil. 
  3. Recycling & Reusing Everything: Our kitchen reuses glass bottles. All of our packaging is biodegradable and recyclable — including our straws because every little bit matters! And we NEVER use styrofoam. And our recycling includes the more than 40 tons of food waste we pay Recycle Revolution to compost every year.

We LOVE how much our GEM community cares about being green. If you want to join us on our reuse and recycle train, we encourage you to find out more about Recycle Revolution’s programs. The local company is committed to helping individuals and companies recycle and compost everything they can. Now that’s GEMMY! 

Thanks for doing your part to keep Mother Earth GREEN. We wish you continued vitality and healthy habits this Earth Day, Earth Week, Earth Month and every day. Keep up the good work Earth and Happy Earth Day!


Celebrating a Decade of Peace, Happy, JUICE (& SO Much More!) 🎉

Posted on by The GEM and currently has 2 Comments on Celebrating a Decade of Peace, Happy, JUICE (& SO Much More!) 🎉

Holy guacamole, The GEM is turning 10 YEARS YOUNG!!! We can hardly believe it’s been a decade since opening our doors as the first organic juice bar in Dallas. What started as a simple idea between two disco soul sisters back in 2012 has blossomed into something more lovely and powerful than we ever could have imagined. And it’s taught us that no matter whether in life, love, disco or business, passion is always worth pursuing.


CELEBRATE #TheGEMTurns10 WITH A FREE IMMUNITY SHOT ON FEBRUARY 11TH


From a terrifying breast cancer diagnosis to hosting our first-ever popup, and to opening our second location, the journey to provide the best-of-the-best spirit, energy and juice to our glowing GEMs has been, in a word, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. 

We knew next to nothing about the restaurant business when we opened up shop ten years ago, but that didn’t hold us back. We dug in deep—learning, growing, and dancing along the way (and, of course, leaning on this wonderful community of ours). 

Read on for the top ten lessons we’ve learned on our GEMbarkment a decade later:

10 Lessons Learned After A Decade of #ShiningBright

  1. Dallas loves green juice. We have seen our GEM community grow into the most incredibly committed and conscientious health-seekers anywhere around. 
  2. Our Top 10 Health Rules are still the way to go. Nothing has changed. It still is all about a whole food, plant-based diet. (And if you don’t know, now you know.)  
  3. Focus attention on your own passions, do it with determination and grit, and things fall into place. Stay true to your values—and don’t be swayed by a new “opportunity” that strays from your mission.(Check out Our Creed to see what we’re all about!)
  4. Treat your customers (and staff!) with respect and kindness, and they will stick around for the long term. Some of you have been with us since day ONE! We have incredible staff that have been with us for many years (like, almost 10!).  We love them, and we love YOU!
  5. Disco balls and groovy music make for a fun workplace. We’re more than just healthy food and organic juices. We’ve created a place where positive energy flows freely—and we like to think it’s why we have the very best staff in town (and we know you agree!).
  6. Delicious smoothies don’t have to be loaded with added sugar, dairy or creepy additives. Our intention is to make the most delicious food and juice without compromising any health benefits
  7. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Especially when it comes to new health products, supplements, diets and fads promising to (insert desired outcome here). Always stick to what you know actually works: a whole food, plant-based diet.
  8. Those struggling with a health crisis can feel confident that they are getting honestly clean, organic healing foods and juices when they visit The GEM. We’ve met so many beautiful humans going through cancer. It has been a humble honor to get to serve you.
  9. Supportive, positive people make for the BEST co-workers. Daily work is WAY more fun and rewarding with people who intentionally set out to be positive and supportive. We really do have a blast doing what we do, together.
  10. We are beyond grateful for you, our O.G.s (Original GEMs!), as well as our new followers for your continuous support and outpouring of love. We’re here and open every day for you, and you never fail to show up for us! 

As a special “thank you” to all of our loyal GEMs, mark your calendars for Friday, February 11th at both our locations, where we’ll be giving out FREE IMMUNITY SHOTS, complimentary to ALL CUSTOMERS! 🎉


A Letter to My Cancer Warriors

Posted on 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

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Exercise every day. Even if you just stretch for 10 minutes and walk around the block for 20. You will feel better.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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


Curbside Pickup + Online Ordering Now Available!

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Curbside Pickup + Online Ordering Now Available!

We started the GEM because we care about your health — and that’s true today more than ever. In this critical time amid the COVID-19 outbreak, we’re working hard making GEM-my goods to keep our community healthy, while making sure ordering is easy as can be for our loyal GEMs.


ORDER NOW TO STOCK UP ON ORGANIC JUICES, SMOOTHIES AND GREEN BITES!


The GEM now accepts online orders, right from our website! Immune-boosting, nutrient-dense GEM goodness, right at your fingertips. Call us when you’re ready to pick up and we’ll run it out to you with complimentary curbside pickup!

How To Order Online

  • Visit the website.
  • Login to your existing account or create a new one.
  • Choose your GEM pickup location.
  • Customize your order + add to cart (for special requests, please call your location).
  • Check out,  click “take out” and select “curbside.”
  • Add payment method.
  • Review tip + submit order!

If you aren’t able to drive up to the store or would prefer not to, you can also now order through DoorDash and Favor for no-contact delivery.

GEM Goodness To Stock Up On

  • Immunity Mix
  • Immunity Bone Broth (freeze into cubes & enjoy later!)
  • Allergy Mix
  • MVP Soup
  • Juice Growlers

While we aren’t able to offer in-store dining during this time, we know GEM-my foods and drink are critical to your immunity and health — and we’re committed to being there for you in any way we can. We’re all in this together. Wash your hands, stay strong, and remember to SHINE ON.


Cancer DOES Define Me

Posted on by The GEM and currently has 34 Comments on Cancer DOES Define Me

Full disclosure. I’ve worked really hard over the last 9 years to put my cancer treatment and journey behind me. I am really a master, it seems, of compartmentalizing (almost all) experiences that were traumatic in my life. A great coping skill to eliminate emotional baggage. After fighting cancer, I liked to say, “I will not let cancer define me.” And I was adamant about it.

fighting-cancer-gratitude

But the truth of the matter is cancer has defined me. The experience truly made me who I am today. I can’t deny it. I am brighter, shinier, stronger. It is the reason The GEM is here. 

I came to this realization while recently attending a luncheon honoring a fabulous GEM friend and cancer survivor. This event raised millions for the fight against breast cancer — providing access to advanced diagnostic equipment, innovative clinical research, and most importantly, safe, quality, compassionate care for those fighting cancer. Awesome. The theme was about acknowledging all that cancer brings: anger, fear, hope, love, courage, commitment and acknowledging that together we are strong and together we can do it. I expected that. But as I pushed around the almonds on my banquet arugula salad, something rocked me like a hurricane.

I experienced something profound. And unexpected.

As I listened to the stories of others affected by cancer, I became overwhelmed by a sense of immeasurable gratitude. Gratitude for the experience fighting cancer brought me. For the incredible care I was afforded in Dallas. The love and care shown me by friends. This support system is the reason I survived. The reason I thrive.

CANCER CHANGED MY LIFE

Fighting cancer impacted my life in 3 three ways:

  1. Made me more grateful and mindful of the blessings in my life: My husband who is solid gold. My parents’ unwavering support. My cadre of Rockstar friends. My health. I FIND GRATITUDE in every moment. That kind of positive perspective changes the reality of things.
  2. Changed how I responded to conflict. I breathe deep and know I will GATHER MY PEACE. Because at the end of the day, is it really worth it to stress and blow over big and small stuff? Hell no.
  3. Transformed how I looked at FOOD, and the POWER of it on my physical and mental health. The GEM is the manifestation of my new view on all that nourishes me.

 

FIGHTING CANCER CONTINUES

To continue my cancer-free life, I now do these three things every day to launch a preemptive strike in the fight against the disease:

  1. Wake each morning to 32 oz. of water, deep breathing, and organic green tea. This routine includes listing three things I am grateful for. This changes my situational perspective. (Here’s one way you can use your morning routine to brighten your day.)
  2. Surround myself with shiny, happy people and places that lift me up. I find all of that
    inside The GEM community!
  3. Eat GREEN and CLEAN. Drink my celery juice first thing. By 11 a.m., I’ve already knocked back a kickass cup of MVP soup. (That means I’ve had seven servings of veggies before noon!). You can start by adding one extra green to every meal. It makes a big difference in my energy, mood, and waistline.

 

The truth is I’m grateful for what cancer has done in my life and the person I’ve become. Cancer does define me. And I’m proud of that. Thanks for allowing me to be honest. With you. With myself.


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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It’s Majik, Blue Majik Superfood, You Know

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on It’s Majik, Blue Majik Superfood, You Know

Something new and something BLUE is shining inside The GEM! Blue Majik is the latest addition to our treasure chest of superfoods! This aptly named magical powder is a certified organic, proprietary extract of an “Aqua Botanical” cultivated from the pristine Klamath Lake in Oregon!

Blue Majik is a nutrient-dense powder made up primarily of Phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant which quenches free radicals (think rust and ageing). As a result, it detoxes your body and has been shown to be a potent natural COX-2 inhibitor (think anti-inflammatory, even anti-cancer).

In simpler terms, Blue Majik is an elevated version of spirulina.

Much like green spirulina, Blue Majik is full of vitamins such as B12, enzymes, and minerals. It gets its gorgeous bright blue hue from C-phycocyanin, a type of storage protein rich in amino acids. Studies show C-phycocyanin to be rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.

Blue Majik works wonders in many way but most noteworthy by:

  • Detoxing heavy metals
  • Alleviating sinus issues
  • Boosting metabolic energy
  • Helping to reduce blood pressure
  • Boosting immunity
  • Improving memory

 

Given that it’s essentially an algae, you can imagine that consequently on its own, it’s not that tasty (a little fishy, if we’re being honest). But when mixed in a smoothie, the odd flavor is easily transformed into something AMAZING.

There are lots of ways to add Blue Majik to your daily routine. Try adding it into your Smoothie, CLARITY LEMONADE, Immunity Iced Green Tea, Cashew Milk or any of your own creations!

More Blue Majik

Still unsure how to use it? Don’t worry. We created an amazing new BLUE DIAMOND SMOOTHIE so all you have to do is order one!! It might be one of the tastiest and prettiest smoothies we’ve ever created. Banana, Blue Majik, dates, hemp, maca, almond extract. Mermaids and unicorns be jealous …

So, now you know the magic. Come in today and try it yourself! We are waiting!

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Back to School Part Three – Cleaner Junk Food and Quick Snack Food Ideas

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Back to School Part Three – Cleaner Junk Food and Quick Snack Food Ideas

If we look at your pantry right now, would it be laden with the traditional snack items like Doritos, OREOS and General Mills Cereals that we all grew up with?

A toxic storm of chemicals and science lab ingredients. But let’s be realistic. You have to have some junk food in your house. We can’t be perfect all the time. And, quite frankly, do you really want to be??

You don’t, however, have to eat those processed, chemical-laden, GMO riddled snacks! There are so many new alternative brands and organic versions out there.

Fruit Loops, Lunchables, and Cheetos ARE NOT OPTIONS.

I don’t recommend packaged junk food all the time, but we live in the real world. It’s gonna happen. PLUS, if you want your teens to gather at your house, you gotta have some ready to grab snacks!

Give these organic and non-GMO snacks a try.

 

These snack brands do not contain MSG, an ingredient that keeps you going back for more and more. MSG is why many of the GMO snack brands like Doritos are so addictive!!

The key is to BE PREPARED. Make regular trips to the grocery store, with a list of things that will sustain your teens (and their friends) for the week. Or check out these AMAZING delivery apps:

INSTACART – Get deliveries within an hour from Whole Foods, Costco and Central Market.  Awesome!

THRIVE MARKET – Get organic pantry products at great prices!

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 on the counter.

Other awesome snack ideas:

  1. Organic popcorn made on the stove top with coconut oil and sea salt. So easy. Tiny But Mighty brand non-GMO popcorn kernels are fantastic.
  2. Sliced cucumbers/carrot rounds marinated in lime juice and sea salt. Don’t underestimate this one!
  3. Tex-Mex rules! Keep grass-fed taco meat ready to go. Always have these in your fridge:
    • Fresh pico, salsa, guac or bean dip. Nachos with pinto beans and organic cheese knock Cheetos out of the park! Make sure your tortillas are without chemical ingredients (say goodbye to Mission brand).
  4. Amy’s Nacho Snacks, Pizza Rolls or Burritos
  5. The GEM hummus with jalapeno pesto. Grab one of our snack packs for on the go!
  6. Keep sunflower seed and pistachios in a bowl on the counter.
  7. Make watermelon slushes in the afternoon. They will love you! How? Tons of watermelon on the bottom of the blender, frozen strawberries, a cup of ice, a peeled lemon or lime. Shazam!!
  8. Mini pizzas made with whole grain English muffins, fresh marinara and organic mozzarella. Whole Foods has great pre-made ones.
  9. Sami’s Cinnamon Chips will disappear at carpool time. Everyone LOVES these high fiber, low sugar (but don’t tell them that) chips. Available at The GEM.
  10. Keep whole wheat pasta ready in the fridge with marinara.
  11. Steam frozen ORGANIC edamame and add sea salt. Costco sells this!!
  12. Popsicles? Try these Austin-based GoodPop® All-Natural Frozen Pops. I love the Watermelon Agave and Coconut Lime Bars!!

 

These are not all super-food healthy snacks – because we don’t always obey the rules. They are, however, CLEAN, free of harmful chemicals and dyes. This is really important to remember when feeding your families. Good luck and … Happy End of Summer!

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Bring The GEM Goodness Home – Part Four: Spirulina

Posted on 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.spirulina

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!