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

Tag Archives: school


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

Posted on August 18, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on SHINE Smarter with Original G·E·M·S Life! (Smarty Pants Series Part IV)

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.

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

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

Posted on August 18, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on 5 Practices to Ace GEM Class With Original G·E·M·S

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!

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

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)

Posted on August 13, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on How to Boost Brain Power by Eating Clean (Smarty Pants Series Part II)

“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!

START NOW. SHINE BRIGHTER. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!

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)

Posted on August 10, 2021 by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on Be A Smarty Pants with Original G·E·M·S (Part I: Gratitude)

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!

LEARN, GROW & SHINE BRIGHT DAILY. JUMP INTO ORIGINAL G·E·M·S LIFE!

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!