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Tag Archives: Original G·E·M·S


SHINE Smarter with Original G·E·M·S Life! (Smarty Pants Series Part IV)

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Take time for a little self-care so you can operate at your brightest this school year and keep stress levels low! Try out these SHINE Original G·E·M·S Life practices with your family for a Smarty Pants Semester.


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Starting Your Day with Original G·E·M·S Life

Our health is impacted by so much more than what we eat or whether or not we exercise. Mental health plays just as big a role as these practices in our overall wellness. Because of this, our daily habits have a HUGE impact on brain health—an important fact to remember as we begin this new school year! 

Do right by your body and brain this semester by embarking on your own Original G·E·M·S Life — a playbook formed from our founding nutritional and lifestyle practices. Get started by checking out our tips on practicing GRATITUDE for a new school year, ways to EAT CLEAN to boost brain power, and our MOVE practices for a Smarty Pants Semester. 

To round up our back-to-school series, here are our top practices to help you Shine smarter this school year!

6 Back To School #SelfCare Tips to Help You SHINE Smarter!

  • Get a full 8 hours of SLEEP! Deep, quality sleep helps with memory consolidation, where the brain processes events of the day, making memories and links. A good night’s rest helps you remember and process things better—crucial for smarty pants GEMs. Shine smarter by prioritizing your shut-eye time nightly! 
  • Start a morning WATER therapy regimen. Here’s your new morning ritual: drink 32 oz of water upon waking. That’s it. SUPER beneficial to your overall long-term health, and an easy way to detoxify your system. We GEMs do it every day. Staying hydrated makes us more focused and keeps us energized throughout the day. Try it and see for yourself!
  • Cut down on screen time. Excessive time in front of our screens can cause parts of our brain to shrink—crucial parts that help us with empathy, planning, prioritising, organization and impulse control. Too much screen time can also make us feel disconnected from others, which is detrimental to our mental well being. Take a 10-minute break every hour spent in front of your device to keep you Shining Brighter all day long. 
  • De-stress & detox with bath salts. Our GEM At Home Detox Bath Salts relax tense muscles, replenish magnesium, and reduce inflammation. Plus, their healing properties can help moisturize your skin, decrease stress, and help you sleep better. Give yourself a little R&R bathtime to soak away school stresses. Order now! 
  • Relax & drink Natural Calm Tea nightly to help quell anxiety and promote a more restful sleep. It works by balancing your magnesium levels and calcium intake, helping you to feel less stressed and more relaxed. We recommend starting with just a little at first (half a teaspoon daily), and gradually increase to two teaspoons per day from there. 
  • Stock up on supplements. Want optimal brain function? A stronger immune system? Better overall health? Look no further than our top GEM-approved daily supplements. Good news! We now carry the incredible Thorne brand. Give your body the turbo boost it needs to stay healthy and strong by supplementing your way to SHINE. Stop by and stock up today!

Make these daily SHINE practices part of your back-to-school routine, and you’ll set off a chain reaction of mental and physical well-being that will lead to a bright, shining, Smarty Pants Semester!

But don’t stop there; commit to one practice in each Original G·E·M·S Life category (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine) and reap the benefits of a healthier, happier mind, body and soul. Add in more practices as you go, and watch the transformation begin! Jump in today!


5 Practices to Ace GEM Class With Original G·E·M·S

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A daily routine is key to a successful school year. Add these quick MOVE practices to your Original G·E·M·S Life for a focused, fabulous fall term!


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Ready for more focus, less anxiety and improved energy? Set aside a few minutes every day to move your body for a world of difference to your physical AND mental health. 

It’s a scientific fact that regular exercise is linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety and depression. So do right by your body and your brain by adding in our third Original G·E·M·S Life category, MOVE, to your morning routine, and get ready to take on this school year by storm!

You don’t have to hit the gym after dropping the kids off at school — commiting to MOVE your body everyday is a lot easier than you think! One of the biggest mistakes we make when setting activity goals is trying to “get fit” by overcommitting to an exercise “program.” In other words: We shoot the moon, when really we just need to walk around the block. Some things to keep in mind: 

  • Any movement is a good movement! It doesn’t have to be a heart-pounding sweaty gym sesh to improve your fitness. 
  • Those little minutes of movement add up! A little bit here and there, when you can, can add up to a full work out! 
  • Consistency matters more than intensity. You can burn a lot of calories walking — and a lot more than running if it’s just too hard or you don’t like it.  
  • If you don’t like it, if it’s too hard, if it hurts, you won’t keep doing it. Movement should be fun, not painful. 

To help get you started, try our top practices to help you ace GEM class this school year.

5 MOVE Practices for a Smarty Pants Semester

  • After School Dance Party! Shake away those back to school blues by throwing on some throwback jams to groove to! Try this ultimate dance party workout with Meagan Kong for some seriously good vibes. A dance a day keeps the doctor away, right? 
  • Sneak In Mini-Moves: You don’t have to make it to class or the gym every day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or take a quick walk around the block in between Zoom calls. Either way, take a few minutes to stretch your legs during the day. Those minutes add up! 
  • Try a TikTok Trend! There are sooo many to keep up with, but a few TikTok trends we’ve loved lately are the ​​#FlexibilityChallenge videos, the #Trackstars “runaway” challenge, and whatever #DanceTikTok’s viral dance of the week is! Get your family involved and try out these video challenges for your daily MOVE practice!
  • Find a “move” buddy. Having someone to keep us accountable helps us stay committed to daily move goals. Call up a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with and try different classes with them for a month, or sign up for a weekly AM sculpt class at Ritual One Yoga on Knox with a friend (plus, get your daily GEM fix at our pop-up location here!). 
  • Get a Personal Trainer. Can’t find time to make it to a class? Hire a personal trainer to come to your home instead—they can even give you light exercises or stretching work to do so you can check off your MOVE practice every day of the week.  

Prioritizing your health is the BEST way to curb anxiety and stress that a new school year brings. Follow these Original G·E·M·S Life MOVE practices to help you and your family stay healthy this fall. And remember; it takes 21 days to form a habit, so don’t wait—jump in today!

Live an Original G·E·M·S Life

Commit to Shine Brighter in all areas of your life with our daily playbook formed around 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, Shine. Add in more practices and grow with the program when you’re ready, and create your very own Original G·E·M·S Life!


How to Boost Brain Power by Eating Clean (Smarty Pants Series Part II)

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“You is kind, you is SMART, you is important.” Say it with us now. Back to school time is upon us, and to celebrate we’re sharing our top Original G·E·M·S Life tips for you to have a Smarty Pants Semester—and this week is all about how to Eat Clean to boost brain power. Check out our brain-boosting daily practices and commit to Eat Clean this school year!


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As we said in Part I of our Smarty Pants Semester series, lifestyle has a HUGE impact on our brain and mental health. Each of us has the opportunity to do something good for our brain (and, in turn, our body), multiple times a day. 

When it comes to eating, start smart each day with these tried-and-true Eat Clean practices that keep your mind and body at peak performance!

5 Brain Boosting Foods for Back to School

  • BLUEBERRIES. These babies are PACKED with antioxidants proven to help delay brain aging and improve memory. Stick some in the freezer with a scoop of peanut butter for a delish after-school snack, or add them to your morning smoothie for a one-two punch of brain power!
  • TURMERIC. We’ve talked a LOT about the benefits of this anti-inflammatory super spice—but turmeric also has the power to improve memory, boost serotonin and dopamine levels, and help us grow new brain cells. Our Turmeric Latte is a favorite back to school accessory for this reason.  So is the Iced Immunity Green Tea.
  • NUTS. Brain healthy fats and protein abound with walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil Nuts, mulberries and more. Snag a bag or two of our GEM Remix or Dance Mix to get your daily dose of nuts—super filling and packs a punch. Got nuts? 
  • MAGIC MUSHROOM. Our Adaptogenic Powder contains Lion’s Mane, which boosts brain clarity and memory.  Add to any of our coffee drinks or in our Crown Jewel smoothie!
  • GREEN TEA. In addition to fighting cancer, aiding in digestion, and improving cardiovascular health, studies have shown that drinking green tea daily can enhance memory and other cognitive functions. Green tea directly benefits the part of our brain associated with learning, memory processes, and decision making. Choose wisely and GO GREEN!
  • LEAFY GREENS. You know the ones—kale, spinach, Bok Choy, collard greens, etc. all have the power to slow cognitive decline. Stay sharp by packing in extra greens at every meal with these simple tips:
    • Add to smoothies. Spinach and kale are our favorite additions. Make at home with your favorite organic ingredients, or order to-go from The GEM! 
    • Stir into soup. De-stem and cut a few kale leaves before adding them to soups in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
    • Bake kale chips. Chop and toss with a little olive oil and salt, then bake at 350 for 10 minutes. 
    • Juice ‘em. Our Green Glow juice is the perfect starter kit to get your daily green fix (all hail the KALE!). Order now!

By adding just ONE of these brain-boosting foods daily, check off your EAT CLEAN practice while getting the nutrients you need to learn and Shine Brighter in the classroom this semester! And stock up with these foods to send your little GEMs off with fuel for the school day and beyond.

Keep an eye out for more Original G·E·M·S Life practices for a Smarty Pants Semester, coming soon!


Be A Smarty Pants with Original G·E·M·S (Part I: Gratitude)

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Gearing up for a new school year can be hectic, no doubt about it. BUT, if we embrace the chaos and express gratitude for our kids’ opportunities and abilities in the classroom, we can give them the support they need to perform their best, in school and beyond. Try these Original G·E·M·S Life daily GRATITUDE practices for a smarty pants semester this fall!


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Start Smart this Semester with Original G·E·M·S Life

Original G·E·M·S know the road to healthy isn’t paved with just clean eating and exercise. Our mental health plays just as big a role in our overall wellness as what we put on our plate and how we move our bodies. Because of this, our daily habits have a HUGE impact on brain health—a super important topic as we approach a new school year!

You have the opportunity every single day to do something good for your brain (and, in turn, your body). And what better way to start than with our first Original G·E·M·S Life category, GRATITUDE, each day? Read on for tips on how to practice GRATITUDE daily this school year.

Having GRATITUDE for A Shiny New School Year!

There is no shortage of studies that link a practice of gratitude gives way to an overall sense of well-being. But did you know that practicing gratitude can also have a positive impact on our focus and resilience in learning? 

According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, when students intentionally practice gratitude toward learning, they have better focus during class, while studying, or taking an exam.

Practicing gratitude then seems like a no-brainer (pun intended!) for excelling in the classroom! Try out these quick and easy Original G·E·M·S Life practices to start your day with a gratitude mindset before hitting the books this school year.

3 Ways to Start Your School Day with GRATITUDE

  • PRACTICE MORNING MEDITATIONS. Center yourself by taking 15 minutes each morning to meditate and reflect on the positive. Doing so will automatically start your day with an optimistic outlook and ready to tackle whatever may come. 
  • START GRATITUDE MAPPING. Similar to a gratitude journal, gratitude mapping is creating a visual mood board to represent things you’re grateful for. Add to it daily and put it on display to help remind you of all the good things you have to be grateful for! 
  • VOLUNTEER TO HELP. We all know someone who could use a hand. Volunteer to help your kids’ carpool lane. Sign up to become a reading buddy or a tutor in the classroom. Just put yourself out there and see—helping those in need brings on a sense of compassion for humanity, and helps us have gratitude for our circumstances!

Try these daily practices to help you have a smarty pants semester, but don’t forget; Gratitude is just ONE important element of living an Original G·E·M·S Life. To Shine Brighter in all areas of your life, commit daily to one practice in each Original G·E·M·S Life category, Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine, and watch the transformation begin! 

And be on the lookout for more tips on how to have a Smarty Pants Semester on our blog, Facebook & Instagram!


12 Teen Summer Snack Ideas for Original G·E·M·S!

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As parents of teenagers and young adults ourselves, we know firsthand how challenging it can be to convince your kids to keep on the straight-and-narrow when it comes to eating right. So we’re offering our tried and true Eat Clean food rules catered to teens who want to look good and feel even BETTER — the basis of our Original G·E·M·S Life program. Check out our top recommendations below for helping your teen eat clean.


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Preparation is the name of the game when getting our kids to eat clean. While it’s likely they will never straight up ask for cucumbers and hummus, your teens will snack on what’s in front of them, so having healthy options on deck is a must!

My go-to healthy options make staying true to Original G·E·M·S Life easy for our teens at home. They’re what I call my “Jedi Mind Trick Snack Plates”…fun-looking, health-filled plates with a little bit of everything on them. Before they’ve even realized it, my teens are gobbling up organic veggies and nutrient-filled bites like it was their idea.

Try some of my favorite at-home snack plate ideas for your teens this summer!

12 Healthy Summer Snacks for Teens

  • Be-A-GEM Platter: Made with our fave grab-and-go options, including The GEM’s hummus with jalapeno pesto, our Vegan Ranch and Sami’s Flax Chips served along with snap peas and Sunset’s Sugar Bombs grape tomatoes. This plate is a hit for obvious reasons.
  • Netflix & Healthy Platter: Here’s one for the movie buffs—organic popcorn made on the stove top with coconut oil and sea salt, peanuts, pistachios, and Healthy Chex Mix from Unrefined Bakery (this stuff is the BOMB!).
  • Taste the Rainbow Platter: Take watermelon cubes, Cuties oranges, kiwis, blueberries, frozen grapes, and some mini marshmallows for clouds (brands like Smash Mallow or Dandies are our go-to).
  • Piatto d’Italia: Take a quick trip over the pond and into Italy with an array of olives, nitrate-free sliced salami, toasted almonds, sliced red peppers, parmesan chunks, and steamed artichoke. Go even further and make mini pizzas with whole grain English muffins, marinara and mozzarella. Buon appetito!
  • Mexican Fiesta Plate: Made with fresh GEM Pico de Gallo, guacamole and our 3 Bean Salad and served with Siete Tortilla Chips. Make quick and easy quesadillas by adding leftover seasoned taco meat or organic rotisserie chicken for quick access and using whole wheat tortillas. Look for brands that just have simple ingredients (hit: Mission is NOT it!). 
  • Veggie Lovin’ Platter: Served with steamed broccoli, GEM Vegan Ranch, sliced cucumbers and carrots marinated in lime juice and salt (this is an important step!). 
  • Let’s Do Brunch Platter: Make toasted waffles cut into triangles and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, served alongside boiled eggs, Alyssa’s oatmeal cookies (sold at The GEM!), and Applegate Farms chicken sausage links. 
  • Open-Faced Avo Toast Plate: Serve avocado toast with lemon, cayenne, sea salt, PBJ, and toasted cheese—all cut into small squares.
  • At-Home Happy Jars: Organic Greek or plant-based yogurt (Siggi’s is my fave) parfaits made with Marge or Park Lane granola and berries, drizzled with honey. Save yourself some time by making a few of these at a time, storing them in small Mason jars. 
  • Asian Snack Plate: Get store bought California Rolls (Whole Foods and Central Market have the best!), AshaPops, sliced red bell peppers, GEM Collard Wraps, and steamed organic spicy edamame (with “Slap Your Mama” seasoning).
  • Baked Potato Bar: Keep potatoes on hand and with fun toppings. Use that leftover taco meat! Super simple, filling, AND healthy. 
  • Smoothie Station: Blend one frozen banana with a cup of dairy-free milk, raw cacao and organic peanut butter for a yummy treat. Or, pick up some of our ready-made Smoothie Kits at The GEM and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Your teens will LOVE you!

Help set your teen up for success by providing them with these healthy snack options. And don’t forget to lead by example! For more inspiration on keeping you and your family inspired to Eat Clean, check out our Original G·E·M·S Life inspiration page with tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules. 

By selecting one practice that resonates with you from one or all of all of the four Original G·E·M·S categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!


How to Help Your Teen Eat Clean with Original G·E·M·S

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As parents, instilling healthy food habits is one of the best things we can do for our children. It’s obvious for us, but it can be difficult to get our teenagers to actually buy into this idea. And as moms of a few teenagers ourselves, we know firsthand the struggle is REAL.


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Fortunately, our Original G·E·M·S Life program isn’t just for grown ups looking to Shine Brighter — its practices are also perfectly catered to families who want to raise kids with healthy habits. And what better way to start than by introducing our Eat Clean practice ideas to try at home this summer with your teens?!

Why Eating Clean Matters to YOUR Teen!

Nutrition affects the trifecta of most-important things to our teens: athletics, academics, and appearance. Chances are your teenager cares about one or all three of these—so as a parent, you can influence your teen to want to eat clean by emphasizing the positive results that eating healthy will have on their athletic and academic performance and their appearance. For instance,

  • More green leafy vegetables, less dairy & sugar = fewer breakouts
  • A GEM smoothie before a game = better sports performance
  • Loaded protein breakfast = increased focus on tests

Still not getting through? Here’s what happens with regular consumption of inflammatory foods, such as fast food, sodas, fried junk, sugar, etc:

  • Acne. Breakouts. Zits.
  • Low energy, sluggishness.
  • Weight gain and obesity.
  • Inability to focus (caused by artificial dyes and lack of good fats and proteins).
  • Mood swings, anxiety, anger (food can be a BIG factor in managing our mood).

You’ve identified the problem, now give them the healthy solution!

3 Tips on Getting Your Teen Eat Clean

  • PLAN FOR QUALITY GREENS at every meal. Salads, sautéed broccoli, steamed artichokes…you get the gist. Add spinach into their smoothies. And keep it up, even if they turn their noses up! Eventually they will come around. Even ‘one bite’ is a start!
  • CLEAN OUT THE PANTRY. Throw out foods with ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORS and SWEETENERS immediately. These things are known to cause cancer, ADHD, allergies, and lots of other infuriating problems. Even replacing super bad junk with organic, non-GMO junk is a non-toxic step in the right direction. The simplest of foods like bread or tortillas have more chemicals than you can count, much less pronounce, so be sure to read the labels!
  • DUMP THE PROCESSED SUGAR. Sugar is the main culprit behind bad skin, bad moods, and bad performance. Let your teens know this—they will thank you!

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but by doing these three things on the reg, you can help them adopt a few good habits that will keep your teenagers thriving, healthy and happy—not just now, but straight into adulthood. It’s never too late to jump on the healthy disco train. But it all starts with YOU.

Want more tips on Eating Clean? Check out our Original G·E·M·S Life inspiration page with tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules to help keep your body at its best. By selecting a practice from one or all of the four Original G·E·M·S Life categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!


How To Eat Clean At Home with Original G·E·M·S Life

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Of course we love EVERYTHING we do here inside the GEM — but we can’t eat here for every meal! And that means some serious at-home recipe innovation to check off our daily EAT CLEAN practice!


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Eat Clean is our second Original G·E·M·S Life category, which includes our tried-and-true, easy-to-follow food rules that keep your body at its best. By selecting one practice that resonates with you from one or all of all of the four Original G·E·M·S categories (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine), and committing to doing it daily for a week, then a month (and eventually forever), you’ll be well on your way to Shining Brighter in all areas of your life!

Keep your body looking and feeling great with these quick-n-easy, healthy snacks for days you just can’t make it in to see us.

9 Easy Ways to Eat Clean at Home

  • VEGGIE DIP SNACK PLATE. Appetizer plate with a dip trio of hummus, vegan spicy ranch, and jalapeño pesto. Serve with cut veggies and gf chips.
  • SCRAMBLE À LA GEM. Add a touch of olive oil and sauté our Arugula Quinoa Salad with a couple of scrambled eggs. *Chef’s Kiss* delicious!
  • DINNER, QUICK! Our version of beans and rice: serve our Lentil Soup on a bed of our Classic Quinoa.
  • STUFFED AVOCADO. Fill half of an avocado with our Pico de Gallo and a vegan ranch dressing of your choice. Shazam!
  • TACO BOUT HEALTHY! Make your tacos even better and even go further by adding our Quinoa to cooked ground beef or turkey, taco seasoning and POW — you’ve got a healthy AND TASTY boost!!!
  • SPARKLING WATER HACK. Pour our Immunity Mix into ice cube trays for an added boost to your tea or sparkling water. Plus, it extends the life of your precious Immunity Shots!
  • AT-HOME CASHEW MILK LATTE. Take home our cold brew coffee and a cashew milk, then pour in a heating frother for an incredible latte on Sunday mornings!
  • SUB BONE BROTH FOR WATER. Make the most incredible rice with our Bone Broth. Use it in place of water — as much or as little as you like. I make mine with half broth, half water. For an exotic flair, use our Immunity Bone broth and add an extra teaspoon of turmeric. It is AWESOME!
  • ORDER AHEAD AT THE GEM. You can use our to-go snacks for meals. Just hit us up on our app!

But of course, if you’re too busy to cook at home or just prefer our in-store menu, pay us a visit for all of your #HonestlyOrganic smoothie, juice and green bites needs! See you in soon.


Checking In with YOU: Mental Health with Original G·E·M·S Life

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“What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it!” – Oprah Winfrey

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so let’s check in with ourselves. What has been on your mind lately? Are your thoughts making you feel joyful? Uneasy? Physically unwell? Our thoughts have a very direct impact on our mental (and even physical!) state, so it’s imperative we protect and intentionally nurture them constantly—even when things seem bleak and not-so-GEMmy!


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A dear friend of mine recently confided that she had been feeling generally unwell: exhausted, experiencing physical pain and generally sick. After visits with two different holistic practitioners, she was surprised to hear them both suggest the same thing: the problems perhaps lay in the emotional, spiritual and psychological realms—not in the “medical” or physical at all! She was shocked. 

Their recommendations were clear, simple and intentional: purposely work to change her thoughts and begin her day with positive practices. WHAT?

Nobody’s Perfect, But You DO Have to Work It!

My friend went deeper and shared more about how she was feeling, even confessing that MY social media post the week before contributed to her malaise! She perceived this image of beauty, love, and friendship that made her long for what she felt she didn’t have. Sound familiar? 

I told her what was behind the “snapshot of perfection” and that it wasn’t all it seemed. That I, too, was struggling to be there and to embrace the joy that was surrounding me. It was a very difficult few weeks for me—like serious sh*t flying all around me. I found myself spiraling, focusing solely on the negative going on in my life—very out of character for me. 

The GEM voice inside my head, the one that helps me thrive, thumped me between the eyes: Apply the Original G·E·M·S Life playbook! One of the best ways to do that is to practice GRATITUDE—it’s the first category of Original G·E·M·S Life for a reason. It’s mission-critical to living a vibrant life.

Starting Each Day with a GRATITUDE Mindset

“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritations. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-minded.” – Sonja Lyubomirsky. Powerful stuff.

Starting with Gratitude, here are four ways to use Original G·E·M·S Life practices to keep you on the up-and-up mentally (and, in turn, physically!). Using these practices you create a better environment for positivity to grow and manifest! The Mind/Body connection is real!

4 Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health with Original G·E·M·S Life

  • GRATITUDE. My friend was told to start every morning listing 3 (different) things she was grateful for. Some days it might seem impossible. BUT IT’S NOT! We have so much goodness around us. Just look for it. Your health, clean water, a call from a friend, your child’s laughter, a safe home, hand-plucked Sencha tea. There’s so much! There are always positives to discover.
  • EAT CLEAN. Are you eating well? HAVE you eaten at all? A great way to get your day off right is to drink a GREEN JUICE. Green veggies elevate your mood, keep your blood sugar in check, and boost your energy levels. One of my favorite green juices is the Leslie special: kale, parsley, and celery. By starting your day with a green juice, you’ve already consumed a big chunk of your recommended daily veggie intake. Eat Clean practice=complete!
  • MOVE. Are you getting outside and breathing in the sunshine? Studies show that sunlight and exercise have a profound effect on your overall well being. Commit to just 15 minutes of moving your body each morning, and check off your MOVE practice for the day!
  • SHINE. Supplements such as Vitamin D, Fish Oil, and Magnesium are often deficient in folks with low mood and energy. A well-rounded multi vitamin such as our new Thorne 2x/day is a great first step! They have an incredible Fish Oil, too!

Start your day on the brighter side with each of these Original G·E·M·S Life practices, and you’ll set off a chain reaction of mental well-being that can help you take on just about anything. Focus on the positive, even in a setback. Because setbacks or not, your choices either enhance your spirit or diminish it. So what’s it going to be?


Spring Clean Your Daily Routine with Original G·E·M·S Life!

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Spring is our favorite season of the year because it’s a season of growth. It’s the perfect time to re-group, re-prioritize, and revitalize the life you are living. Take stock of your daily routine and see how you can improve this spring with these Original G·E·M·S Life practices!


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Spring Into Personal Growth!

Great for the mind, body and soul, an Original G·E·M·S Life spring clean is just what the doctor ordered. By committing to one practice in each category (Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine) you’ll set off a chain reaction of transformation and Shine Brighter in all areas of your life. But the growth doesn’t stop there. Add in more practices as you go, and watch the transformation begin!

12 Original G·E·M·S Life Practices to #SpringClean Your Routine

G R A T I T U D E

  • REFLECT & RESET. There is SO much to be grateful for–this spring especially. To get into a gratitude mindset, take stock of your mental state as we bid adieu to winter. What have you accomplished last season you’re proud of? What things would you like to change? What are your hopes for the new season?
  • CUT OUT NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. STOP putting energy into negative chatter. Remember: You attract what you put out into the universe. You are love. You are light. Repeat this mantra daily.
  • KEEP JOURNALING! Our Day in the Life of a GEM Journal is the perfect tool to continue your daily gratitude journal. Start each day by listing 3 things you are grateful for. You’ll be amazed at how many wonderful things you will think of.

E A T C L E A N

  • ADD IN SPRING GREENS! Detox daily by eating our Dandelion Salad or Kale Salad for lunch. Our MVP soup is also something you can (and should!) drink every day. It adds five servings of sparkle-inducing veggies into your day! Plus, these super-green foods are supportive of your liver, the major organ responsible for filtering toxins from your body. Order online now!
  • ORGANIC SEASONAL STAPLES. Spring is a great time to shop the farmers market for produce. Support our local organic farmer by visiting these Dallas Farmers Market vendors, Lakewood’s Good Local Markets, or all-organic Bonton Farms in South Dallas to stock up on in-season organic produce like bok choy, strawberries, chard, and red and golden beets. 
  • DRINK GREEN JUICE DAILY. Do not underestimate the power of daily green juice. On an empty stomach, it is a straight shot of goodness into your bloodstream. The phytonutrients in green juice boost metabolism, help clear skin, reduce bloating, and balance blood sugars. EAT CLEAN practice complete!

M O V E

  • GET IN THE GARDEN. Wanting to grow your own herb garden this year (or maybe a succulent garden for those not-so-green-thumbed GEMs)? Either way, spend at least 15 minutes each day working in the outdoors. An easy, productive way to stay active and get your daily MOVE practice in!
  • BIKE RIDES. Great for getting the whole family up, out, and moving together. We love hitting up the Katy Trail on our family rides! 
  • DAILY SUN SALUTATIONS! The perfect way to greet the day, Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, is a series of postures that strengthens and aligns the entire body. Try this quick 10-minute method every morning to set the tone for your day and to check off your daily MOVE practice!

S H I N E

  • DRINK YOUR ALLERGY SHOT! Spring is not so great for our allergies. But our Allergy Mix and Allergy Shots can help quell your pesky seasonal sniffles and sneezing, and are loaded with potent anti-inflammatory compounds including Elderberry, tart cherry, ginger, and ACV. Daily SHINE practice = done!
  • REGULATE YOUR SLEEP. It may be tempting to stay up later than usual now that the days are getting longer, but remember that restorative, blissful sleep is oh-so-critical to your health and well-being. Get a full 8 hours each night for optimum SHINE!
  • SUPPLEMENT YOUR WAY TO SHINE. Optimal brain function? Stronger immune system? Better overall health? Check, check, triple-check. Supplements help your body replenish the necessary amount of dietary nutrients it needs every day, giving it the turbo boost it needs to stay healthy and strong. But beware; all supplements aren’t created equal. Check out these six GEM-approved supplements to keep you Shining Bright!

What better time than spring to start your very own Original G·E·M·S Life? Begin today with these practices designed to help you on a path toward healthier, happier living. 

And if you miss a day, don’t stress — just get back on the disco train and start again. The goal is growth, positivity, and setting your intention to Shine Brighter in all areas of your life.

Need More Inspiration? 

Check out our Original G·E·M·S Life showcase page for more easy-to-start, easy-to-follow practices to help you kickstart your Original G·E·M·S Life. Let us know what practices you love, and share your ideas for other practices on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook!


Restorative Skin Care Tips to SHINE this Spring (Original G·E·M·S Life)

Posted on by The GEM and currently has 1 Comment on Restorative Skin Care Tips to SHINE this Spring (Original G·E·M·S Life)

About a month ago, I was horrified to see my skin had turned into something I didn’t recognize as my own—I was clearly skipping one of my Original G·E·M·S Life daily SHINE practices—specifically, skin care.


START. COMMIT. KEEP GROWING. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!


My skin had started to look like an old snake skin bag from my grandmother’s closet. It was a surreal change that seemed to happen overnight. What was I doing wrong?! 

As panic set in, I took a closer look at my daily skin care regimen and realized that I had stopped doing several things that had obviously made an enormous impact on my skin. So I got back on the train and within 2 weeks, my skin had regained its radiant glow! 

The silver lining of this accidental experiment was it helped me find some really, really good remedies to make my skin look the BEST it can (I mean, when you’re 52 like me, there’s only so much that is possible). Here’s what I learned in the process.

SHINE with Original G·E·M·S Life Restorative Skin Care Practices

Those dry, wrinkly elbows may have gone unnoticed in winter, but they’re ready to see some sun. With spring break upon us, you deserve to feel confident showing some skin. Check out these easy ways to get your skin looking and feeling radiant with Original G·E·M·S Life SHINE practices.

6 Daily Skin Care Tips We Swear By!

  • Hydration, hydration, HYDRATION. Water. 32 ounces first thing, plus more throughout the day. Reduces bloating, curbs cravings, flushes toxins. This is a must for your best self. 
  • Take your FISH OIL. Muy importante. My favorite is Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas. Omega fatty acids promote skin healing, inhibits inflammation and enhances the moisture barrier keeping skin supple and hydrated. Order yours here.
  • Don’t skip FACIAL hydration! Odacite Youthful Glow Face Oil. This organic green oil is truly miraculous. I can’t get enough of it!!!
  • Work in COLLAGEN. As we age, our collagen production slows. We need collagen for skin elasticity, and it helps slow the ageing process. Add it to your coffee, or sip some of our collagen-rich Immunity Bone Broth as a snack. Have you ever tried our Elevated Coffee? It should be called a Face Lift Latte because of all the skin loving goodness in it!
  • MOISTURIZE daily. Shea Moisture Daily Hydration is the VERY BEST BODY MOISTURIZER there is. It has no offensive smell, no sticky residue. It’s the bomb! And cheap, too!
  • MORE internal hydration: Drink a daily green juice. Whether made at home or a Green Glow from The GEM, juicing daily provides your body with essential antioxidants (read: anti-ageing) and nutrients that promote a healthy skin glow.

Most of these are treating the problem from the inside out, which is really where good skin and vibrant health starts anyway! These tips are incredibly easy to incorporate, so if you want to see your skin glow to its fullest light, start today! Your beach dress will thank you.

Don’t forget though—skin care is just ONE important practice of an Original G·E·M·S Life. To Shine Brighter in all areas of your life, commit daily to just one practice Original G·E·M·S Life category, Gratitude, Eat Clean, Move, and Shine, and watch the transformation begin!

Share Your Own #OriginalGEMSLife!

Let us know what practices you love, and share your ideas for other practices on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook