Albuquerque, NM April 2026

New showroom. Same uncompromising standards.

A New Standard Is Taking Shape.

This spring, John Thomas Jewelers unveils a new showroom designed for one thing: unforgettable moments. A space where craftsmanship, intention, and time-honored design come together—just as they always have From private bridal galleries to an elevated custom design studio, every detail has been considered. Every experience, personal.

Our investment issue

Our April issue is all about investing in people, places, and business.

Over the past six months, the Albuquerque metro area has seen significant new investments aimed at strengthening infrastructure, attracting new industries, and expanding economic opportunities across both Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

In Albuquerque, major investments continue to fuel innovation and development. At Mesa del Sol, the growing innovation district is attracting new companies and infrastructure. The global accelerator NMexus Center recently launched to attract international companies and could generate up to 1,500 jobs and more than $400 million in economic impact over five years.

Transportation and infrastructure improvements are also underway. The Albuquerque International Sunport activated a rail spur to serve future industrial sites, supported by private investment to rehabilitate the rail line and expand logistics capacity. Additionally, the city continues to invest in projects like the ABQ Rail Trail, which has already secured nearly $40 million in funding to improve connectivity between downtown neighborhoods, cultural districts, and transportation hubs.

Meanwhile, Rio Rancho is experiencing strong growth through new infrastructure and development initiatives. The city recently approved a $158.8 million annual budget and a long-term capital improvement plan totaling nearly $691 million, funding road improvements, neighborhood infrastructure, and transportation upgrades. Major projects include widening major corridors like Unser Boulevard and improving streets throughout the city to support rapid population growth.

Economic development is also expanding through new housing communities and entertainment investments, including the arrival of the professional hockey team New Mexico Goatheads, which will begin play at the Rio Rancho Events Center in 2026.

Together, these investments reflect the continued momentum of the Albuquerque metro region as one of the Southwest’s fastest-growing centers for innovation, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.

RICH RINGROSE, PUBLISHER

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Rich Ringrose | rich.ringrose@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Richard Lakin | richard.lakin@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Anthony Deleon | anthony.deleon@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Rudy Carrillo, Keri Bridgwater, Jill Robbins, Regan Bervar

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Autumn Oglesby

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rudy Carrillo, Keri Bridgwater, Richard Lakin

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

New Mexico Wildlife Center, Fitness Superstore, Capital Strategies, City of Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho

Regional Chamber of Commerce

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

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THE FITNESS Superstore

A HEALTHY INVESTMENT

ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE FITNESS SUPERSTORE

One of the best investments we can make is a purchase that will improve our health and wellness. The American Heart Association recommends at least 2.5 hours of heart-pumping physical activity per week, or as they put it, “sit less, move more.” With many of us in sedentary professions, a home gym can produce a more robust and healthier lifestyle.

We found a business in Albuquerque that provides quality exercise equipment and expert advice, with a longterm presence in the community that will enable you to maintain a better level of fitness. The Fitness Superstore on Pan American Freeway has equipment to suit any level of exercise or budget. They also have a store in El Paso.

Kendall and Claire Weingardt strive to help their customers find the exercise equipment that helps them meet their fitness goals. Store owner Kendall told us, “The Fitness Superstore is a specialty fitness business that's been in New Mexico for 47 years. It's been family-owned the whole time. I'm currently the third generation that's running it. We really specialize in providing the best quality fitness equipment for everyone. We exist to make our communities healthier, so we really try, when people come in, to listen to and work with them and not just get them to buy something. We find the

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thing that's going to help them stay consistent and really achieve their goals.”

They once had a visit from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who called it “the best fitness store I’ve ever been in.” Other testimonials said, “A really helpful staff with low-pressure sales” and “They really seemed interested in helping us find the right equipment.”

Kendall says, “Number one is when someone comes in, they're welcomed, and we really like to show them around because it is the largest specialty fitness showroom in the United States, and it may seem a little overwhelming at first, so we really try to make sure that we get up there, we introduce ourselves, and make everybody feel comfortable. Once we do, it's not just showing the products, but it's getting to know everyone that comes in and what they need, what injuries they may have, limitations, challenges, and goals. So, it's matching people to exactly what they need... not just showing off a whole bunch of equipment.”

refurbished equipment, rowers, ellipticals, and treadmills. Customers can try the equipment first, and they offer a 30-day in-home trial. They have an in-house delivery crew, and they can arrange financing. They also service everything they sell.

“The best fitness store I’ve ever been in.”

Kendall tells us, “We see a lot of people who are really trying to improve their physical health. People that are coming in...they might have had some injuries, or they've kind of neglected exercise for a long time, and they're trying to find some equipment that's going to make sure that they can stay mobile, stay active, and play with their kids or grandkids.”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Fitness Superstore carries home gym systems, home cardio equipment, used and

“We also see a lot of professional athletes come in. New Mexico, and Albuquerque in particular, are actually very popular for training in the offseason.  If you're in the foothills, you're over 6000 feet... the average is over a mile high, so there's a lot of athletes from many different disciplines that come here to train, and we'll see them come in personally looking for equipment, as well as sales to gyms that are specifically building out facilities for athletes to train.”

“We see a lot of people who are really trying to improve their physical health.”

— Kendall Weingardt

Kendall says, “We see people come in, they either have a goal or a New Year’s resolution, or maybe a health scare. It would be great if we got people in here that are preemptively taking care of themselves and their fitness, but we get to really talk to people, and you hear a lot of stories, and it's nice to see the results afterwards, too.”

The Fitness Superstore

4840 Pan American Freeway, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 505.225.7689     https://www.thefitnesssuperstore.com/

ARTICLE BY KERI BRIDGWATER

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE NEW MEXICO WILDLIFE CENTER

Safeguarding New Mexico’s Wild Future

The New Mexico

Wildlife Center

Through close-up encounters with Ambassador Animals, one nonprofit is turning environmental education into a lasting investment in the state’s natural heritage.

An hour north of Santa Fe, on a stretch of repurposed rodeo grounds in Española, Bubo the great horned owl fixes her gaze on a group of visiting students. In an instant, wildlife shifts from concept to connection. At the New Mexico Wildlife Center, that moment reminds students that this landscape — and its wildlife — belongs to them, too.

“We can’t ask a child to fix climate change,” says Anna Tobin, the Center’s Ambassador Animal Program Director and Education Director. “But we can give them something actionable.” The goal, she explains, is for everyone to leave with a sense of wonder—and a clear understanding of what they can realistically do to help. Tobin, who holds a Master of Science in Environmental Education and is one of only 117 Certified Professional Bird Trainers worldwide, has worked in wildlife conservation for over a decade. Her philosophy is simple: awe first, agency second.

Explore the Natural Wonders of the American Southwest

THE

DENVER TO LAS VEGAS SEPTEMBER 21 – 26, 2026

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Day in Denver with a visit to the Denver Art Museum and welcome reception.

DAY 2

Board train to Glenwood Springs via Moffat Tunnel, and Byers Canyon.

DAY 3

Glenwood Springs to Moab on train including Debeque Canyon and Ruby Canyon.

DAY 4

Tour of Moab includes Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

DAY 5

Moab to Bryce Canyon National Park including Capitol Reef National Park.

DAY 6

Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas via Zion. Journey ends in Las Vegas, Nevada. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM FOUNDATION

“YOU CAN DO ALL THE RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION IN THE WORLD, BUT IF YOU’RE NOT TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO LIVE WITH WILDLIFE CORRECTLY, IT WOULD ALL BE FOR NAUGHT.”

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A NEW CAMPUS FOR CONSERVATION

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the New Mexico Wildlife Center is preparing for its most ambitious investment yet: a multi-phase Capital Campaign to build a purpose-designed wildlife hospital and education campus. Estimated at $15–20 million over the next decade, the project would create the first purpose-built wildlife hospital in New Mexico, along with expanded ambassador habitats, classrooms, and a raptor flight arena. “This is a rocket that’s about to take off,” Tobin says. The campaign comes at a pivotal moment. As federal conservation budgets shrink, the Center has stepped into new roles, collaborating on the State Wildlife Action Plan and preparing to welcome two black-footed ferrets—one of North America’s most remarkable comeback species—as the first ambassadors of their kind in New Mexico. But bricks and mortar are only part of the story. “You can do all the research and rehabilitation in the world,” Tobin says, “but if you’re not teaching people how to live with wildlife correctly, it would all be for naught.”

It’s a philosophy reflected across the organization. Executive Director Matthew Miller leads what Tobin describes as a “small but mighty” team of 14, including a full-time veterinarian—a distinction few wildlife rescue centers can claim—and a fully staffed hospital department. Tobin’s team includes Education Coordinator Beth Thompson and animal care specialists Amanda and Sidney, whose expertise spans species-specific training and care.

In Española, investment isn’t defined by dollars raised or buildings planned. It’s found in a child’s first encounter with a fox, a falcon representing the story of a lost grassland, a moment that may ignite a lifetime of advocacy. And in a state that ranks among the most biodiverse in the country, that may be the most valuable return of all.

The New Mexico Wildlife Center is at 19 Wheat Street, Española, NM. Their website is www.newmexicowildlifecenter.org.

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“IF

I JUST SAY, ‘APLOMADO FALCONS ARE EXTINCT HERE,’ PEOPLE ASK, ‘WHAT’S AN APLOMADO FALCON?’” TOBIN EXPLAINS. “BUT WHEN YOU BRING PHOENIX OUT AND TELL HIS STORY, PEOPLE CONNECT.”

Turning Outdoor Dreams into Reality

RIO RANCHO

INVESTMENT IN GROWTH

ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CITY OF RIO RANCHO

Rio Rancho, known as New Mexico's "City of Vision," is famous for its rapid growth, family-friendly atmosphere, low crime rate, affordability, and strong tech economy alongside stunning high-desert landscapes and a growing number of modern amenities and outdoor activities. It offers a high quality of life with a diverse job market, good schools, and a focus on community, attracting families and professionals alike.

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At the heart of our family-owned business lies a passion for transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary retreats. We create luxurious bathrooms that blend comfort, style, and functionality. Every detail is thoughtfully designed and built with care — because when it comes to your home, only the best will do.

We talked to Jerry Schalow, President and CEO of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, about the growth of the community. He tells us, “Rio Rancho has created its own ecosystem. The Rio Rancho region includes northwest Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo, and Santa Ana Pueblo. The infrastructure is constantly evolving to keep up with the growth.”

“Intel, which has been here since 1980, employs about 3,000 people, and is the world’s largest packaging facility. TLC which is the state’s largest plumbing contractor is also moving into Rio Rancho. A new business, Castelion, is building facilities on 1000

acres and initially will provide 300 jobs, not including the construction jobs to build out the facility with all the buildings. The expectation is when it's fully completed it'll be about 1000 jobs.”

Jerry says, “Rio Rancho is the safest city in New Mexico, the best public schools in the state, and also, we're on a number of different listings as the best places to live and the best places to retire. We’re also sort of a bedroom community for other parts of the area. We have about 3,400 residents that go to Los Alamos every day for work. Also, a lot of our residents work at Sandia National Labs and Kirtland Air Force Base.”

We talked to Rio Rancho mayor Greggory D. Hull about investments in Rio Rancho. Besides his role in attracting new businesses to the city, he told us about community and quality of life projects.

“One of the big things that we've been really focused on up here is infrastructure... upgrading our streets, upgrading our water system, and adding services to the community. We’re seeing thousands upon thousands of new home constructions, so growing the infrastructure is an on-going project. We recently added what's known as The Hub which is a library and Community Center up in Enchanted Hills. When it comes to places to gather,

“We estimate the corporate investments at between $6-$7 billion in Rio Rancho just in the last 10-12 years.”

we really didn't have a gathering space per se, and this really gives us that gathering space. It houses a library with both books and digital media, and it has recreational areas with Pickleball courts, exercise & fitness activities, arts and crafts classes, special events, and programs for all ages.”

“We also added the new Broadmoor Senior Center. Their goal is to provide services that promote positive aging. There’s also the Meadowlark Senior Center, which offers programs on health & wellness, arts & humanities, social activities, day trips, and other functions that meet the needs of seniors.”

Mayor Hull says, “We’ve seen a lot of corporate investment in the city. We estimate the corporate investments at between $6-$7 billion in Rio Rancho just in the last 10-12 years. Then there’s Clēnera, a large solar company that feeds into the

PNM grid. A lot of companies are looking for a clean, sustainable power source for their future building sites.”

“We’ve also seen the Market Street gourmet grocery store come to Rio Rancho, along with Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Walmart.”

“We're consistently investing in public safety. We have more than doubled our budget going into the Police Department over the last over the last 12 years. We're able to tout the fact that we're the number one safest city in the state with a population over 30,000, and so we continue to work very hard on the public safety side, making sure that we're providing that safe environment not only for families but for the businesses here.”

As Mayor Hull told us, “Rio Rancho is on a roll.”

INVEST!

ARTICLE BY RUDY CARRILLO

Albuquerque economics expert Dustin Soflin wants you to invest. But that’s not all the UNM Anderson School of Management graduate wants. He wants your interest in investment — whether for your personal wealth priorities, or those of your small business — to become an ongoing, collaborative effort that involves an expert like him guiding your efforts with precision, knowledge, and experience dealing with the market, local, national, and global.

Solfin told us that such ventures should, by nature, be collaborative. Soflin is interested in how you plan to get where you want to go, and he wants to be part of the team; more importantly, he wants to do the heavy-lifting while you sit back and manage your dream business or live your real life.

When Albuquerque City Lifestyle sat down with Soflin to discuss the logistics behind personal and small business investment strategies, we felt at ease and in the company of a real, yet accessible expert helper.

We began our amiable, investment -oriented conversation as acolyte and master; I didn’t know that much about personal and business investment, but Soflin is a seasoned professional who double-majored in finance and accounting. He’s been with Capital Strategies for many years and clearly has the expertise to guide our discussion.

Speaking about his roots as a business-minded Lobo, he recalled that “The accounting part never really appealed to me like the finance end of things. I was never going to be a CPA. Once I graduated, I started my career here at Capital Strategies”.

That career — nurtured and built over more than a few years immersed in the American marketplace — is something he defines as a form of help, a form of shared navigation that brings prosperity and wealth to all those on board. “My job is helping people grow their businesses, grow their investments,” he admitted with a slight smile.

Soflin says he and the firm take what’s known as a CFO approach to investments. I told him to explain that to me, to our readers who may not have heard of such a methodology before. In a humble, soft-spoken yet utterly confident tone, he told me about the ‘chief financial officer approach’ and replied, “We want to be a partner in a client’s financial decisions, whether such decisions

involve questions like ‘Should I pay my mortgage off early or put that money into investments?’ We can answer questions like that, questions like ‘How do I sell my business?’ or ‘Should I buy a building for my business?’ …’ What do the income potentials look like in these cases?’ … We aim to partner with clients in their financial lives and the decisions they make.”

Soflin has mastered his trade and helped improve our local economy by working with local business owners of all sorts, including more than a few thriving “private medical practices, including dentists and optometrists”. He also told us that the thing that sets those entities apart is a matter of performance, pointing out that, “We serve high-performing business owners, businesses where they’re starting to grow, where revenues are starting to increase; maybe they’re diversifying or adding new team members. These are just some of the indicators we use; these are businesses that are crushin’ it, so to speak.”

It’s interesting to note that this reporter wondered why a successful small business might need the power of expert advice and professional, results-driven guidance to continue down its own path toward personal wealth and well-being. Soflin seemed to sense this fence-sitting with regards to the power of investment and told me, “Usually our clients want some clarity about [things like] cash-flow, what that looks like, and how it impacts their own personal wealth, how we can help them translate that business success into personal wealth. We want to find them a higher interest rate than they can find themselves in something like a money market account. A lot of people seem to think that the money that they give us to manage is locked away, and they really can’t get access to it. And that’s not true, we try to be as flexible in our plans as possible … The way that we plan with our clients is to keep as many options as possible available to them. We get people’s money working for them, so they can concentrate on their other goals”.

Soflin and his associates at Capital Strategies have been on target in that regard; as the number of successful small businesses in our city continues to grow, it is clear that our city’s continued economic development has to do with investment strategies aimed at sustaining and enriching small businesses.

And Soflin’s record of success with his numerous clients — economic partners in the true sense of the word — have led him to an optimistic view of our shared economic future. After all those daily and deeper looks into individual business investments, as the weekend approaches, Dustin Soflin feels optimistic about business in America: “There’s a lot of noise out there from politics. If you ask one person, they think the sky is falling; if you ask another, they’ll tell you everything is fine. For us, we look at the data, we look at the science. We’re independent [thinkers] in that regard. Our opinion is that the next six months, getting us through about mid-year, have a very positive outlook, [financially speaking]. Past that time frame, things get a bit murkier, because this is an election year, and in an election year, you see more [market] volatility.”

“My

But that volatile market action is all short-term Soflin reminds us, “Yeah, we know about short-term volatility, but we tell our partners, ‘if you have a savings [or wealth] goal that we are investing these dollars in, for say the next five or 10 years, why are we so worried about the volatility coming up this year, when we know if we continue to save through and past that, we will meet your [economic] goal, regardless.”

At the end of the day, after considering the sort of success envisioned by Capital Strategies, Soflin's optimism also extends to his own vision of Albuquerque. He concluded our meeting by telling me, “I think that the city is growing. I drive around and see a lot of new development: hotels, apartment houses, homes. I assume that the population is growing, too. That means that jobs are coming in, that all usually means that the economic outlook for the place is improving. Our mayor seems to be pro-economic development. It feels pretty good to be in Albuquerque right now.”

8100 Lang Ave NE #102, Albuquerque.    505.554.3281    https://capitalstrategiesus.com

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ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Inquiring Chef

START WITH A VEGETABLE

Jess Smith is the founder of the popular food blog InquiringChef.com, which she started in 2010 after moving to Thailand with her husband. She explored Thai cuisine, took cooking classes, and documented her experiences on the blog. Over time, her passion for cooking grew, leading her to focus on quick, easy meals for families. Today, Inquiring Chef receives over 5 million page views annually and supports a small team. She shares new recipes weekly through email, her blog, and social media, helping home cooks simplify mealtime without sacrificing flavor.

Smith is now an author. Her debut cookbook,  Start with a Vegetable, published in 2025 reimagines meal planning by putting vegetables at the center of the plate.

“Start with a Vegetable was the result of a natural transition in the way I started thinking about preparing dinner for my family. At the end of a busy day, I often didn't have the energy to think about dinner in parts by preparing a separate protein, vegetable, and starch,” says Smith. “I realized that if I put a vegetable at the center of the dish, the rest was easy to fill in.”

The book features 100 flexible recipes proving vegetables aren’t just a side— they’re key to simple, satisfying meals.

As chief recipe developer for the Cook Smarts meal-planning app, Smith worked closely with families struggling to get dinner on the table. She noticed a common challenge: people wanted to eat more vegetables but didn’t know how to build meals around them.

“As I started planning and testing recipes for the book, I just loved how easy it made dinnertime feel. Are there carrots in the fridge? Here are a bunch of ways to turn them into dinner. Nearly all of the 100 recipes are complete meals and include easy swaps to make them vegetarian. The book is truly flexitarian, with vegetable-forward recipes for all types of eaters.”

Unlike most cookbooks,  Start with a Vegetable is organized by ingredient. Each chapter focuses on a different vegetable, offering multiple ways to turn it into a meal.

“The concept is resonating with many readers who tell me they love that the chapters are organized by vegetable, making it easy to use whatever they have on hand.”

Smith went through a rigorous testing process, starting with over 300 ideas before narrowing them down to 100.

“I always have running lists of recipe ideas. I started sorting recipes into categories, making sure there was variety for each vegetable. I wanted differ ent cooking methods and types of dishes, so each chapter might have a soup, a salad, a roasted dish, a stove-top dish, and a sandwich or pasta.”

After perfecting the recipes in her own kitchen, she passed them to a trusted friend, an everyday home cook, to ensure they worked under realworld conditions.

“I want to know how these recipes worked for a home cook who was shopping at regular grocery stores and trying to make dinner for a family on a weeknight. She sends me feedback on any ingredi ents that are hard to find, anything that is unclear in the recipe, and tracks how long it takes her to make it with real-life interruptions.”

To further refine the book, Smith enlisted 30 volunteer home cooks through Instagram and her email list to test the recipes.

“My goal was to ensure that the recipes in this book are reliable, easy, and adaptable. I wanted this to be a cookbook for real home cooks. I'm so grateful to that team of volunteers for helping to ensure that it is.”

To order a copy of the cookbook visit:  InquiringChef.com

CITRUS, CARROT, AND CHICKPEA COUSCOUS

Sweet carrots and tart cranberries complement each other in every bite of this tangy couscous. It makes a light meal on its own but becomes a showstopper when spread on a platter and topped with braised meat, roasted cauliflower steaks, or seared tofu. If you want to add a little creaminess, serve the couscous with a spoonful of plain yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots

• one 15½-ounce can chickpeas

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling

• ½ cup orange juice

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup dry regular or whole wheat couscous

• ⅓ cup sliced almonds

• 1 lemon

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F

Step 2. Peel the carrots and slice them diagonally into 1-inch ovals. Drain and rinse the chickpeas

Step 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrots and chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, cumin, ginger, dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon of the salt, coating evenly.

Step 4. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned veggies and chickpeas on it in an even layer.

Step 5. Bake until the carrots become tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking.

Step 6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the orange juice, water, and ½ teaspoon of salt. When the mixture begins to boil, remove it from the heat, stir in the couscous, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.

Step 7. When the carrots become tender, sprinkle the almonds on them and continue baking until the almonds lightly toast, 4 to 5 more minutes.

Step 8. Juice the lemon for 1 tablespoon fresh juice.

Step 9. In the same mixing bowl used to season the veggies, whisk together the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and the cranberries.

Step 10. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the carrots, chickpeas, and almonds. Stir well to combine.

Step 11. Serve warm or refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve chilled. Just before serving, stir in the parsley.

Invest in Everyday Luxury

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MORNING AND START YOUR DAY OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

habits morning for success

One of the best ways to invest in yourself is by creating a consistent and intentional morning routine. No matter how unpredictable or chaotic the rest of your day may become, starting your morning with self-care and purpose sets a positive tone that stays with you throughout the day.  Once you develop a morning routine that truly resonates with you, you’ll look forward to it every night, knowing it will set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day.

If you’re ready to elevate your mornings, here are some meaningful ways to invest in your routine and start each day on the right foot.

Be Your Own Barista:

One of life’s simplest pleasures is savoring a homemade coffee each morning. While skipping the drivethru may be tough at first, brewing your own allows you to appreciate the process—and chances are, you’ll end up preferring your own perfect cup of joe.

Get Your Steps In:

An hour-long gym session before work may not be realistic, but a quick morning walk is. Use this time to clear your mind, enjoy nature, and listen to your favorite podcast or artist—an easy way to start your day feeling relaxed.

Enjoy Some Breakfast:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet often the most overlooked. Setting your alarm just minutes earlier to prepare a fresh, nutritious meal can transform your morning, fueling your body and mind for a more energized and productive day.

Read A Book:

Starting your day with a book is far more calming than scrolling through social media. Reading in the morning helps ease you into the day, providing a peaceful and mindful escape that sets a positive, focused tone for what’s ahead.

Plant You r Kitchen Garden

BACKYARD GARDENS OFFER FRESH VEGGIES AND FOOD FOR YOUR SOUL

A quick guide for simple ideas to start off your backyard kitchen garden. With endless health and medicinal benefits, combined with the beauty and enjoyment to be found, gardening is endlessly rewarding.

GETTING STARTED

• Plant your vegetable options right into your beds with flowers, the pollinators (bees, butterflies and more) are attracted to the beautiful flowers and your veggies will easily and abundantly go-tofruit, living harmoniously in one bed.

• Every garden needs a rain gauge - you’ll be surprised at how fun it is to check. There is nothing like rain water for your garden. (This is optional, but definitely fun).

• Get your family involved. It’s never too late!

• Just go for it, our local climate can be weird and often extreme but don’t let it stop you- the most success and fun I’ve had was just going for it. Experiment and see what you love and what works best for you!

• In most cases, when watering, don’t water the petals and leaves, (especially when they’re in direct sunlight) try to water straight to the soil. All they need is water, nutrients and light to thrive! (and maybe a little love helps too!)

• Don’t forget herbs: Lavender, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Oregano, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley and more. Don’t be afraid to skip the spice rack and grab your seasoning from the garden.

What to Plant

Whether starting from seed or seedlings, you can’t go wrong with these options. Start with foods you know you like to eat.

TOMATOES: They’re delicious, money-saving, good for eating fresh and for preserving. Tomatoes come in endless colors, shapes and sizes. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, and ensure they receive consistent moisture, supporting them with cages or stakes as they grow.

OKRA: Okra loves our hot summers and full sun. Don’t wait too long to pick your okra, ideally harvesting them when they are 2 to 4 inches long. Can be eaten raw on a salad or best served deep fried. (The flower that turns into the okra itself is uniquely beautiful as well!)

EGGPLANT: Eggplant is a short season vegetable and a relative of peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. It thrives in heat and full sun and can be deliciously made into baba ganoush and many other delicious dishes.

ARTICLE BY LAURA SANCHEZQUAN

PEPPERS: Like tomatoes, peppers have many purposes and variations. Plant them in a sunny location with welldrained soil after the last frost, spacing them 18 inches apart, and provide consistent watering while ensuring the soil doesn't become waterlogged.

Flowers Bring Pollinators

Flowers bring joy to all five of our senses, but they also bring pollinators to our garden in order to ensure your backyard kitchen will produce lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not to mention they also contain health and even medicinal properties.

HIBISCUS:

Make sure your hibiscus plants, whether tropical or hardy, get at least 6 hours of sun per day in order to achieve optimum blooming. Hibiscus flowers can be made into a delicious tea that can be served hot or ice cold (and is a good source of Vitamin C). With over 200 varieties of hibiscus world wide, their blooms only last a day or two! Stunning in all shapes, sizes and colors.

MARIGOLDS:

To the surprise of most people, marigold flowers are edible. Whether used fresh, dried, or infused into various beverages, Marigolds have a multitude of uses in the kitchen. An added benefit of planting these bright and low maintenance flowers next to tomatoes– they help keep pests away from devouring your tomatoes while also encouraging pollinators.

ZINNIAS: PLUMBAGO:

These bright, colorful garden gems have many benefits beyond their beauty and ease of care. Along with attracting pollinators, and being low maintenance they also have medicinal properties. Zinnias have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they’re rich in antioxidants, and the natural compounds in zinnias can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

Plumbago is thought to have many health benefits, such as its anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties, resulting from its principal chemical components, which are concentrated in the roots, leaves, and stems of plants. This attractive light purple flowering plant thrives in the sun, and has moderate watering needs. Trim and prune to suit your own preferences of growth and it’s a welcome, abundantly beautiful member of any garden.

Tailor Made Plans for Your Business and Finances

THESE INVESTMENT BOOKS CAN HELP YOU STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST FINANCIAL TRENDS

ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMON AND SCHUSTER

Investing in your future is critical yet complicated. While reaching out to qualified professionals is vital—whether you’re building your business, investing in your financial security, or planning for retirement—doing some of your own research is often helpful.

We checked out some of the top investment books that help you better understand how to invest in your future and build wealth.

1 2 BEST INVESTMENT BOOKS TO READ

ONE UP ON WALL STREET

One Up On Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market by Peter Lynch with John Rothchild. Peter Lynch explains average investors’ advantages over professionals and how they can use these advantages to achieve financial success.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Navigating the Brave New World of Personal Investment, part of Economist Books, by Peter Stanyer, Masood Javaid, and Stephe Satchell. A dynamic new guide to personal investment for the era of cryptocurrencies and personal trading platforms.

POWER YOUR PROFITS

Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000 by Susie Carder. While not a traditional book on investments,  Power Your Profits helps you discover how to take your business from startup mode to the multi-million-dollar mark.

THE WEALTH DECISION

The Wealth Decision: 10 Simple Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom and Build Generational Wealth by Dominique Broadway. A roadmap for becoming a millionaire and building the foundation of generational wealth from a self-made, first-generation multimillionaire.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Masters on the Craft by David M. Rubenstein. This book is a master class on investing, featuring conversations with the biggest names in finance. Brought to you by the legendary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, David M. Rubenstein.

Interior and Exterior Painting Solutions for Homes and Businesses

At Painter Bros of Albuquerque, we believe that a fresh coat of paint is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to transform your space. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a single room or refresh the entire exterior of your property, our team is ready to help bring your vision to life. We provide high-quality painting services for both homes and businesses across the Albuquerque area, call us today to learn more.

Cooking With Fresh Herbs

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD| PHOTOGRAPHY

Garlic Herb Butter

This butter is versatile and goes with just about anything. You can use this on top of bread, popcorn, veggies, as a sandwich spread and more.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon herb of your choice (dill, basil or oregano are my go-to herbs.)

• 1 clove garlic, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• cracked pepper to taste

Process

Add all ingredients in a food processor (or mix by hand in a bowl). Transfer butter mixture on parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cover butter tightly and roll into a log. Place in refrigerator until firm. Enjoy!

Add a little kick to your traditional popcorn by incorporating herbs in with the butter. You won’t be disappointed with this buttery and savory combination.

Ingredients

• 13 tablespoons coconut oil (or olive oil if you prefer)

• 3/4 cup popcorn kernels

• 5 tablespoons butter, melted

• 2 teaspoons garlic salt

• 2 teaspoons parsley (dried)

• 1 teaspoon thyme

Process

Add oil to the bottom of a pot and melt over medium heat. Add popcorn kernels and place lid on top of the pot and heat over medium heat until kernels are popped, shaking pan occasionally. Melt butter in a separate dish and add seasonings. Pour on top, and enjoy!

Herb Salt

“There are endless flavor combinations, and these salts are so handy to have as a staple in the kitchen.”

Herb salts are becoming so popular and can add flavor to a variety of dishes. There are endless flavor combinations, and these salts are so handy to have as a staple in the kitchen. Plus, these make great gifts for family and friends. All you need is a blender or food processor and minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup salt of your choice (I prefer Himalayan pink salt, but any salt will do

• 1/4- 1/2 cup parsley (add more if using fresh herbs)

• 2 Tablespoons dried basil (or 1/4 cup if using fresh)

• 1 tablespoon oregano

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 1 garlic clove minced

• Optional: Any additional herbs you prefer

Process

Add fresh parsley, garlic, lemon zest and a little bit of salt to the blender or food processor. Mix for 10 seconds. Add additional ingredients and blend again. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and pour salt mixture on sheet and evening spread. Set in a cool oven overnight to dry. Pour salt into a container of choice and enjoy!