Today I had the pleasure to sit down with two of the most inspiring women I know! Mary Katherine Bass and Leslie Needleman owners and founders of The GEM – a Juice bar, a place with a fabulous disco ball, bright colors, positivity, the most delicious juices/snacks and good vibes!!! We talked about their favorite smoothies, healthy school snack/meal options and how the GEM shines it’s light. It makes me smileeeee just walking in the door!!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE GEM?

LESLIE : I started getting into juicing after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2008 there were no places to go and get a juice or smoothie.

MARY KATHERINE: I was also on a healthy eating kick & had gone gluten free.

LESLIE: I realized once I started eating cleaner I felt automatically better. So I started taking Nutrition classes and would fill Mary Katherine in whenever I had finished class on what I had learned.

MARY KATHERINE: I would always call and ask her what she had learned that day in class it made me so excited.

LESLIE: That was when I decided I wanted to start Nutrition counseling.

MARY KATHERINE: I told her why not put a juice bar in the front and counseling in the back

& that is how we started the GEM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS?

A quick afternoon smoothie is an amazing option ( Frozen berries, banana, protein, and superfood, and dates) is the perfect snack. Also Organic apples, Hummus and celery/ carrots are always a good idea. One of our favorites right now is a Siete tortilla with hummus (from the GEM) and arugula, its the BEST!

WHAT IS THE PERFECT BEFORE SCHOOL BREAKFAST THAT WILL KEEP YOU FUELED AND FULL ALL MORNING?

Protein and fats are the key to success in the mornings. Most people eat cereal or a granola bar but that will not keep your energy balanced all morning. One of our go- to breakfasts in the morning is a Siete tortilla with scrambled eggs & a bit of the Gem pico sauce and spinach! This will keep you feeling good!! If you do love granola bars add organic nut butter on top to balance out the sugar and protein — sugar is the Yin and protein is the Yang.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GEM SMOOTHIE?

MARY KATHERINE: CAMEO, it’s an island treat gone superpower with coconut water, low fat and high fiber/ greens!

LESLIE: White diamond with spinach is always soo good!!

HOW DOES THE GEM SHINE ITS LIGHT?

GLOWING— the Gem is a place to GLOW we believe that when you put good healthy things into your body you SHINE from the inside out!!

My personal fave is the Green Glow juice me and my sis are OBSESSED!!!

MUCH LOVE
SOPHIE

&& THE GEM

MAKE SURE YOU STOP BY THE GEM-

6360 Luther Ln #160

Dallas TX

or

5915 Forest Ln #360

Dallas Tx