Spicy Cumin Chicken, Coconut Rice, Spicy Black Beans, and Avocado

Finally a recipe again! I've been cooking a lot recently and keep failing to blog about it. Tonight, I made a simple meal to warm up on this chilly fall evening. I wanted something with a bit of a kick, was somewhat of a comfort food, and had a fresh element to it too. I came up with a spicy cumin marinade for the chicken, added coconut milk to my rice, and used store bought organic black beans with fresh avocado to create a delicious meal. Here is the recipe below:


Spicy Cumin Chicken:
2-3 cloves of garlic (diced or smashed)
6 tbsp olive oil
Juice from 1-2 small lemons
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp Cholula hot sauce
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cajun spice
1/2 tsp ground cayenne
1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper
1/2 tsp ground paprika
1/2 tsp ground cardamon 


I used about 1.25 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts that I trimmed and sliced thinly and marinaded for about an hour. I sautéed the chicken in a skillet until it was golden brown on the outside and had an internal temp of 165 degrees F.


Coconut Rice:
2 cups jasmine white rice
1 can coconut milk
2.5 cups water


Cook until the rice is soft and all the liquid is absorbed, about 20-30 minutes.


Spicy Black Beans: 
I just heated up a can of Organic Spicy Black Beans, but you can cook up your own black beans or use a can of regular black beans and just add cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, and whatever else you desire. I often use Cholula hot sauce to flavor plain black beans in addition to the additions above.


Slice a fresh avocado and add between 1/4 and 1/2 avocado to each serving for a bit of fresh flavor and to cool down the spiciness for anyone who isn't a huge fan of spicy foods. I also ground some fresh Cotija cheese on top after I took the picture above, which was a great addition. The entire meal took about 1.5 hours to make, including the marinade time. It makes approximately 4-6 servings depending on size. Delicious and simple, the best kind of meal. 


Enjoy!


xX,
Laura Christine

Lighting of a Fire!

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire" - William Buttler Yeats

Repeating a quote I've used in a post in the past, but it couldn't be more appropriate than now. Another month has passed and what exactly do I have to show for it? Well one major thing, I have completed my first three GIA classes and now have an AJP, Accredited Jewelry Professional, degree. I have been really focusing on getting my classes finished early so I wouldn't be stressed about them during the busiest season for retail, the holidays! 

I didn't expect to finish my final course, Diamond Essentials, in only 2 weeks though. It was a hefty course in terms of information, but also incredibly fascinating. Did you know that the carat, the internationally standardized weight measurement for diamonds, originated in ancient times from a carob seed. In fact, the carob seed was considered to be fairly uniform in size and weight and was used as a counterbalance for scales when weighing diamonds. Today, a carat has been standardized to be 0.200g internationally. Furthermore, according to the course, less than 1% of individuals will ever own a diamond weighing 1 carat (ct) or greater. Most mass produced jewelry has a total carat weight (the weight of all the diamonds in the piece of jewelry) of less than 1ct. So it makes sense that most individuals who are buying mass produced jewelry, which the majority of Americans purchase, won't every own a diamond weighing 1ct or greater. 

All three GIA courses for my AJP were extremely informative, relatively thorough, and very applicable in my current position in the jewelry industry. They give you just enough information to adequately sell jewelry by feeling knowledgable and confident, without overdoing explanations and specifics. For many people in the industry, this is all the information they intend to need and use in their profession. For me, the 1st three courses were just wetting my palate and made me realize just how passionate I truly am about gemology and fine jewelry sales. 

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you never cease to grow." - Anthony J D'Angelo


Until next time, wishing you all the best! 


Cheers!


xX,
Laura Christine

Falling into place...

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk through the world and know its beauty 
all the days of your life. 

– Apache Blessing

It's been entirely too long since my last post! I've been working like crazy launching our new website and gearing up for the holidays at Art+Soul. No matter if you have or haven't ever been into the gallery before, check out our website at www.artandsoulboulder.com. I've spent the last few months working with Debbie, the owner of A+S, and the website development team to create a fresh new online presence for A+S. We completely revamped the website and made it cleaner looking, easier to navigate, and added lots of interactive features for our visitors. The neatest feature that we added is a Wish List, where you can sign up and add items that you love. Then you can share your Wish List with your loved ones by email or keep it for your personal reference. If you sign up for a Wish List during October and November, we will automatically enter you into a drawing for a $500 Gift Certificate to A+S. So why don't you go check it out and enter to win! :)

Another thing thats been filling the hours in my day is working on my GIA online courses. I already finished my first GIA course, Jewelry Essentials, last week. I'm already 1/4 of the way through my next GIA course, Colored Stone Essentials, which is completely fascinating. Last night I learned about the rare stones that display phenomena, or unique characteristics, such as cat's eye, moonstone, alexandrite, opal, and star sapphires. I've already learned so much about the jewelry industry and feel completely energized when I am at work assisting our clients with selecting pieces of jewelry. I find it extremely interesting that my recent acquisition of knowledge seems to be encouraging my clients to feel more confident buying pieces from me, too. I've had several of my biggest days in terms of personal sales since I started in the jewelry industry in the past month. It's so exhilarating and gives me such a seller's high! I am beyond grateful for the ability to further my education in the field that excites me the most!

With all this craziness, I've made myself take an hour each morning or evening for a hike with my dog to let my mind wander and my eye's take in the beautiful world around me. So far this fall, I have been fortunate to catch some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets. I even got to see a momma bear and her two cubs last night wandering through the cemetery bellow the trail I hike on daily. One foggy morning a few weeks ago, I walked up towards the Flat Irons through the cemetery that looked incredibly erie with the fog, I swear it looked just like it was from a horror movie. Once I got above the fog, I was able to see how it was just resting over Boulder and against the foothills. It looked just like a coast line. Absolutely stunning place I live and I know I am so fortunate to call Boulder home! 

Also, I have to mention that I should have some incredible pictures of fall and stories about my next adventure coming your way soon! I get to go on a much needed vacation for a long weekend in New Hampshire starting this Thursday! I have always wanted to see a deciduous fall and this year I finally get to see it! I can't even explain how excited I am for this adventure! 

Until the next time, enjoy fall and all the changes it brings!

Cheers,

xXOo,

Laura Christine

A Diamond is a Girl's Best Friend...and Graduate Program?

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

Yes! Finally, I am continuing my education in a field that deeply intrigues me and will allow me to advance in many new directions in the fine jewelry industry. I have started online classes through GIA, the Gemological Society of America, to work towards obtaining a Graduate Gemologist degree. It will take me approximately two years to complete and will mostly be done through online correspondence courses, but there are a few lab courses that will require me to go to the GIA NYC Campus or Carlsbad, CA Campus to complete. In the industry, this degree will allow me to do diamond grading, jewelry appraisals, stone buying, and so much more. The knowledge I obtain through the courses will undoubtably increase my ability and confidence when explaining jewelry to clients. I've been wanting to do this for years and have finally realized there is no better time than the present to further myself in the industry I have chosen. 

Also, for anyone who has an interest in the diamond industry, I have been reading a book that I would highly recommend. Precious Objects: A Story of Diamonds, Family, and a Way of Life by Alicia Oltuski is a relatively new non-fiction book. I am only two chapters into the book and am amazed by how much information I have already learned about the history of diamonds dating back to the DeBeers Family in South Africa and the Diamond District in New York. So far, it has been an extremely captivating read for me. 

Here are a few Editorial Reviews on the book:
From the Washington Post

…engaging and informative…There are other, vastly more encyclopedic histories of diamonds…but I am unaware of a book that so intimately captures the strange and strangely beguiling place in which they are bought and sold…Oltuski has paid fond, affecting and informative tribute to the world of her fathers.
From Monarch Book Reviews:
Precious Objects is an inside look at the diamond industry. Ms. Oltuski's family has long been involved in the diamond trade, both in NYC and Europe. From the mines in South Africa to Nazi Germany to the streets of New York, the author takes the reader on a decades-long and fascinating journey. Focused mainly on the 47th Street diamond district, the author details transactions ranging from original handshake deals right up to the age of the internet and its impact on the diamond trade.  We learn of the birth of the Rapaport Diamond Report and are introduced to a fascinating cast of characters, as well as the dangers of their chosen occupation. Nonfiction, Precious Objects reads like a novel and is a delight to read.  Ms. Oltuski deftly weaves her rich family history into the fabric of the diamond trade. 

I have so much more I would love to update you all about all the amazing things that have been going on in my life, but back to online course work I must go. Until the next time, happy Fall to you all! Cheers!

And just remember...absolutely everything happens for a reason! 

xX,

Laura Christine

Backpacking By Moonlight - Gotta Love a Good Adventure

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower, clearly our whole life would change"- Buddha

Growing up a Colorado girl, there are certainly many outdoor activities that I participated in on a regular basis. But there are those activities that I feel like I should have taken part in but never did, like backpacking! I have been desperately wanting to go for the past 3 years and have been acquiring all the gear to go whenever I saw it on sale for the past 2 years plus. Finally, last Sunday, I embarked on my first backpacking adventure! After a full day at work, my overly organized and experienced backpacking partner, Andrew, met me with the car packed and ready to go and we headed up to the mountains to get a start on our getaway!


We went backpacking on Crater Lakes Trail, near Rollisville, CO and above Moffatt Tunnel at the Colorado Divide. I have hiked and even gone snowshoeing on this trail probably a dozen times during the years I've lived in Boulder. In fact, the first time I ever went on this trail was probably around 3 years ago and I fell in love with it immediately. I have always loved how the area around the trail is heavily forested with a creek that flows along side of it. A mile or so into the hike you leave the forested trail and enter a beautiful wide open meadow with waist-high grass that dances in the mountain breeze and deep green hills that completely encompass it since they are covered with evergreen trees. 

Last year when I lost Lily, my gorgeous Golden companion of 6.5 years, this meadow was the place I wanted to spread her ashes. When my mom was visiting me in Boulder after Lily passed, we made the hike together, with Lily's best friend and partner in crime, Layla. It was a meadow where Lily always ran like the wind and loved to play. We let the gentle breeze spread her ashes for us. We shared some of the many memories that touched our hearts from raising Lily. Through the laughter and the tears, we were able to let Lily go on to whatever adventure she was meant to go on to next. We both hoped for her sake it included lots of red balls, her absolute favorite thing in the world, and everything else her heart desired. Now I refer to it as Lily's meadow and can bask in the beauty of the earth and appreciate her incredibly sweet soul whenever I go on my favorite hike.


We got to the trailhead at 8pm and were lucky to both have our head lamps to help guide the way, because the sun had long set! We had only the light of the moon and stars to brighten the sky, which was so comforting to me seeing as I have spent the last 2 months living in Boulder where there is enough light pollution to block out nearly all of the stars. I had been missing seeing stars and breathing in that cool fresh mountain air so much recently that this trip was just what I needed. Andrew, Layla, and I hiked for about a half hour until we got to Lily's meadow and took a break to catch our breath and spend a moment in silence for my Lily-girl. 


After another hour or so of hiking through the dark in moderate terrain, we decided to start searching for a campsite. It was already 9:30pm at that point and I knew the remaining trail to the lakes was much more rocky and difficult. Through his backpacking skills, and mostly luck, Andrew immediately found us an amazingly flat spot to put up our tent and call it a night. We got settled in, including Layla who didn't hesitate to snag a large portion of my sleeping pad and a bit of my sleeping bag too. After spending part of a winter in Silverton, you'd think she could handle a night at 40 degrees with her pretty golden coat, but I was wrong. I shared my pad and sleeping bag with my little baby and we all got some much needed rest. 

The next morning we woke up to the sound of the roaring creek and sunshine peaking through the forest that surrounded our campsite. We got our stuff organized and hiked the rest of the way up to Crater Lakes! The trail was definitely difficult enough to where I'm glad we stopped when we did the night before and finished it in daylight. At the lakes, the wildflowers were still blooming like crazy and Layla had so much fun wading in the lakes and splashing through the streams. 

We made the trek back down to the car at the trailhead and were there right at noon. We had made a deal that we would stop at my favorite little mountain cafe, the Sundance Cafe. It is just a few miles outside of Nederland on the way back to Boulder. I got to have my favorite breakfast: scrambled eggs with cholula hot sauce, bacon, and breakfast potatoes! Our little mountain escape came to a close that afternoon as we unpacked our stuff and got ready for another week in the real world!

Hope you all are out enjoying this gorgeous sunshine-filled Saturday and have another day of fun planned for tomorrow! Maybe I'll actually grill tonight and post a new recipe in the next few days! 


Cheers!


xX,
Laura Christine

CURRENT OBSESSIONS...

CAROLINA BUCCI, SHAUN LEANE, ALEX SEPKUS, ANNE SPORTUN...OHHH THE LIST GOES ON!

Working in the jewelry industry is a blessing and a curse. We fall in love with at least one piece of each order that crosses the threshold of our door at Art+Soul. Miss Debbie Klein, the owner and director of Art+Soul, always does an incredible job of sorting through the thousands of booths at Couture, a huge jewelry show in Vegas every July. She never fails to come back with a select few lines that we pick up for the holiday season. They always compliment our current inventory, but fill the small voids we have in certain areas. This year was no exception!

After waiting for over a month on a package that was stuck in customs at JFK from Carolina Bucci, an Italian designer, we finally received the first of our exciting new lines. We all loved the images we had seen of Carolina's 18kt handwoven chain and silk bracelets, but it was nothing compared to the love we felt when we actually got to put one on our own wrists. Carolina's grandfather was a well known jewelry who started his company back in 1885, so it is certainly in her blood. She worked at his company until she moved to New York to study jewelry design at age 18. On the side, she started making her woven gold chain and silk bracelets in 2002, which were quickly picked up by several big name stores such as Harrods. Now the bracelets are seen on celebrity wrists and we can understand why everyone fell in love with them. The bracelets are easy to wear, awesome to layer, and have a timelessness yet understated element to them. Debbie was so generous and gave us all at Art+Soul our own Carolina Bucci bracelet, mine is the style pictured above, but with lilac silk and a butterfly to signify freedom. I love it! I wear mine every day and I have to say it has gotten more attention than most of my other fine jewelry. The multi strand cuff pictured below is the real show stopper! I am absolutely in love with our new line! 

Yesterday, we got another international shipment of new jewelry. This package came from Shaun Leane, a London based jewelry designer who is probably best known for doing all the jewelry for designer Alexander McQueen. His looks are an incredible mixture of edgy and classic and we can't get enough of his work. One of his signature pieces are his resin Horn bangles that come in a variety of colors and can be worn alone or layered up to make a statement. His earrings are also incredible, so sleek and yet so wild (literally, since they are all fashioned after a cat claw!). I have to say I normally tend to lean more towards timeless in my personal jewelry taste, but his work has the perfect balance of eye-catching designs and elegance. Check out the images below, but beware, because you may just find yourself adding a few of his pieces to your own wish list!

We have gotten so much new work in the last month from our jewelry designers, but here is a taste of all of the new beauties that I have fallen in love with...that is until we get our next shipment delivered to the gallery!

Designers bring out their newest and best work to Couture each year and they definitely came to the table with a full deck of cards this year. Hope you enjoyed seeing what I have been obsessing over recently! Jewelry is where my passion lies, no doubt about it! Love it!

Cheers!

xX Laura Christine

My Gorgeous Friend as a Beautiful Bride

"But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls." - Khalil Gibran 

Wedding events have been on my mind and agenda for the past week, so I thought I'd share my favorite quote about marriage with you all. I just got back from a beautiful wedding for one of my dearest friends, Carrie. She was a gorgeous bride and her husband, Kris, was the happiest groom to finally make their six year long relationship the real deal. They have always been each other's everything and the most fully committed couple I have ever met. I have known them their entire relationship and I always look at the constant companionship, love, and support Carrie and Kris have with admiration and hope that I will find that in my future. From the beginning, they both knew that what they found would outlast all the ups and downs of life. They are absolutely meant to be together.

Carrie asked me to be her maid-of-honor and I couldn't have been more honored. I have known her since the second semester of my freshman year in college when we lived together in the dorms. She is such a strong, motivated, and beautiful women. I love her family and they have always made me feel like I was part of the family, so I knew it would be fun to be part of Carrie's wedding. I should note that Carrie is one of the most organized people I know, so being her maid-of-honor was almost no work and all play. She had thought through all the details and created the most beautiful evening. From her color scheme to her band selection, her wedding was flawless! 

We all stayed at a B&B in Evergreen, Highland Haven Creekside Inn, that couldn't have been more charming. It was the perfect place for a mountain escape with a rustic cabin feel. We did an early check-in and all of us ladies in the wedding got massages and drank mimosas before the wedding yesterday at the B&B. Carrie's mom, Debbie, invited her childhood friend to the wedding with her daughter, who just so happens to own her own hair salon in Grand Junction. She was sweet enough to meet us early at the B&B and do our hair for the wedding and did an incredible job. Carrie's hair was absolutely stunning. Coming back to my plush king size bed at the B&B after a long day and dancing the night away was the perfect way to end the day. The owners of the B&B prepared us a delicious breakfast for all of the wedding party this morning, where Carrie and Kris signed their marriage license to make it all official. Then the festivities came to a close and we all packed up and headed out. 

If you are looking for a quick mountain retreat, check out the B&B's website below:
http://highlandhaven.com/

Sometime in the near future I promise to do some messing around in my kitchen and create some new recipes to share. Until then, soak up the last weekend of August and take care!

Cheers,

xX Laura Christine