The Official Blog of The GEM.

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

Tag Archives: Whole Foods


5 GEM~my Ideas to Love the Earth a Little More this Earth Day

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 1 Comment on 5 GEM~my Ideas to Love the Earth a Little More this Earth Day

April is EARTH MONTH and Friday’s Earth Day 2016 is about loving our planet. We believe an organic, EarthDay2016healthy lifestyle go hand in hand with loving our MOTHER EARTH. After all, the Earth provides all the goodness that goes into your favorite juice, smoothies and green bites you love at The GEM!

We work so hard to be conscientious about recycling and “being green.” It’s our duty as humans! That is part of our GEM Creed and digs deep into who we are. This has been my objective for many years—it’s something we are very passionate about.

Did you know these GEM green facts?

The GEM:

  1. COMPOSTS all food waste since opening our doors more than four years ago … and in 2015 alone, diverted more than 30 tons from the landfills into the Texas Worm Ranch in Garland.
  2. REUSES glass bottles. Glass is one of the hardest things to recycle!
  3. RECYCLES paper and plastics. AND WE NEVER EVER USE STYROFOAM (it never breaks down in our landfills).
  4. USES carbon water filtration systems for food and juice preparation and production. Removing harmful toxins out of our most precious resource.
  5. ENCOURAGE regular GEM customers to return brown bags, glass shot bottles and juice/smoothie holders for reuse. Every little bit matters!

The seemingly small contributions can make a difference. Over time, these things add up. I mean, over one year our compost totaled 30 TONS out of a landfill. Holy cow!!! So, what can you do?

5 SIMPLE GEMMY IDEAS TO LOVE THE EARTH A LITTLE MORE

These green habits are things your entire family can do. Not only are they easy to implement and good for the earth this Earth Day 2016 … they save you money.

  1. Give up bulky plastic water bottles. In most cases this water is no better than what comes from the faucet. This change has a double benefit. The truth is, it is dangerous to your environment AND to our bodies. The water leaches chemicals from the plastics—these chemicals are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. NO THANKS. It drives me crazy to see half used and un-recycled water bottles piling up in our homes, stadiums and workplaces. Instead, REDUCE your carbon footprint and install a water filtration system that will filter Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC’s), heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. You can fill your own glass or metal bottles and take them wherever you go. I love my Swell bottle! Our favorite home filtration system is Everpure.
  1. Forget about Ziploc baggies! Just don’t buy them! Instead REUSE ones you get from stores or other products OR buy clever containers and lunch boxes that can be used again. Think of all of the landfills and oceans filled with your plastic bag waste. NOT gem~my.
  1. Bring your own shopping bags or NO bag at all. Keep bags in your car for the trips to the grocery store and other shopping. At Whole Foods, you get a  .10 cent rebate for each bag you bring. Next time you are checking out at your favorite store with just a couple of items, just say, “I don’t need a bag, thanks!”
  1. Use less water at home. Challenge the whole family to turn off the water when brushing their teeth. This is easy, and the water saved adds up quickly! Try taking shorter showers and baths.  Consider installing low-flow aerators faucets and shower heads. These can make a big difference in your water usage and therefore, your water bill!

JOIN THE GEM IN LOVING THE EARTH ALL YEAR LONG. Do you have a earth-friendly habit you’d like to share? We are all in this together! Let’s make a difference. Happy Earth Month! Happy Earth Day!


Best Healthy Seasonings and Condiments

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has Comments Off on Best Healthy Seasonings and Condiments

Getting bored with your veggies? Do your entrees leave you wanting more?

Spice. It. Up.

So many seasonings are loaded with chemicals: MSG, anti-caking agents. Secretly added gluten with wheat flour. There are probably 20 ingredients you cannot begin to pronounce. That spells disaster for our systems–just say no to the chemicals.

Here are some of the best healthy seasonings and condiments that can change the course of your dinners forever!

  1. Tommy’s Coffee Rub. This is not just for beef! Use it on thickly sliced tomatoes on toast–like a BLT sans the swine. Mash it with an avocado and lemon juice for a new twist on guacamole. P.S. It doesn’t taste like coffee. P.P.S. Tommy is a cute, local Texan. All of his products are yummy, especially the Salsa Roja.
  2. Jalapeno Lime Pepper from Alamo City Pepper Products. Sprinkle on artichokes, add it on wild salmon or halibut with a touch of olive oil, broil for 12 minutes. (See this recipe.) The best fish you will ever eat. They also have a great fajita seasoning.
  3. Casa Fiesta Taco Seasoning. To beans, grass-fed ground beef, Mexican rice. Taco Tuesdays will be awesome again.
  4. Simply Organic Spicy Chili Seasoning. Follow the directions, adding an extra can of rinsed beans. Or better yet, delete the grass-fed beef for a vegan alternative. Your kids may never notice. Add it on top of an organic baked potato. Sooo good.
  5. Simply Organic Ranch Powder Packet. Certainly not perfect, but a great way to wean yourself and your family off of other favs/go-tos. If you wonder why HVR is so bad, take a moment to read the bottle in your fridge. Yikes.
  6. Krazy Ketchup. A truly healthy alternative and it is really tasty. Plus, the owner is a super cool college sorority bud. It can be ordered by the case.
  7. Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. Add two tablespoons to your soups for a tangy kick. This is the perfect base for homemade salad dressing. Oh … and lots of great benefits:
    • Rich in enzymes & potassium
    • Support a healthy immune system
    • Helps control weight
    • Promotes digestion & ph Balance
    • Helps remove body sludge toxins
  8. Organic Dijon Mustard. Adds zing to your salad dressings, zip to your turkey roll-ups. Look for brands that only have a couple of ingredients. We like the 365 Whole Foods Brand.
  9. And while we are at it, really good, fresh pickles are really hard to find.  Take a look at the ingredients in the ones you have in your fridge.  Probably have food coloring and polysorbate 80, and some other science experiments.  Try Bubbies. Their pickles and sauerkraut is beyond yummy.
  10. Simple Stuff. Really good Sea Salt and a Black Pepper grinder. Changes the way you look at salt and pepper.
  11. Wright’s of Texas Fresh Green Salsa Mild OR Habanero. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME. On chips, on veggies, as a marinade, on fish tacos, on a spoon. Just the right amount of everything. Super fresh, all-natural.
Bodies (and taste buds) will sing.