My Blog has moved!!!

I am SO excited to release the new SITE! I wanted to write and give a BIG THANK YOU for subscribing to this blog and following me over the last year or so. It's been so fun watching the blog blossom, one step at a time. First the courage to start a blog, second the desire to keep sharing. A year later a cookbook! Which I must say I would never accomplished without knowing I was publishing it for my mother's belated birthday.


Next I began posting to Facebook and decided to share my story! The initial ArtisticVegan.com site was born! My loving husband Jerry helped put it up. Since then I've been blogging as well as building a new site behind the scenes. It's a learning process but it's been really fun. I FINALLY have the new site ready to go which means this blog will be retiring!


Please note the posts will begin coming from a new site, please visit and subscribe today!!! You won't want to miss out. To start - an artistic raw pie with a super cute beach scene! What’s in the pipeline? YOGA with ME and so much more!


Blossoming-lotus.blogspot.com has blossomed into ArtisticVegan.com check it out and buy a copy of my book today! 


I couldn't have done it without your views & support - hugs!
Artistic Vegan  ~ Christa June Clark



P.S. One last SUPER mega thanks to my sweet spectacular husband! He's spent hours helping me and has been so supportive and understanding. I couldn't do it without his support and love. Time and time again of me waving goodbye sweetie, and off to office I go for hours and hours. Thank you for holding my hand, and most importantly my heart. :)

Plant-Strong!

We made it to Wednesday. Happy Hump Day! It's been so nice and sunny these last couple of days Jerry and I couldn't help but squeeze in some much needed yoga. The tennis court is one of our favorite places. We are like lizards sucking up the warmth from the ground. The sun beats on our skin, the breeze cools us off, the birds sing and life is good! 

To me, yoga is hard to beat. I've been practicing for about 6 + years and love it. At times more disciplined than others, but primarily just learning to be free and have fun with it. I think that may be the secret to life! 

Yoga has helped me find strength, flexibility and peace. It's helped me deal with stress, life issues and manage my weight. It's helped me grow and challenged me to be better than I was yesterday. It taught me that with practice, time and patience all things are possible.

Artistic Vegan - Chef 'n Yogini! That's me!

My plant-strong vegan powered husband!

 Veggie Power!!!

 Strength, flexibility and an open heart!

 100% plant based yogi power!

Taking a walk outside or doing one sun salutation is a great way to keep your blood flowing. Don't forget to breathe!

In good health and happiness,
Artistic Vegan

 

 

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Smoked Vegan "Cheese" - Take 1

I love cheese. Becoming vegan was a hard transition for me at first due to my love of cheese. After eating too much cheese one winter I could feel how much it slowed me down. I slowly weaned myself off and soon realized how hard cheese was on my digestive system. I would cheat here and there but could honestly feel the difference and soon decided to cut it out completely. It made me feel great, I could instantly feel the difference!

I became fond of soy cheese; it's readily available at the store and is a great treat when having nachos or lasagna.  Lately I've been trying to cut back on soy and am trying to make my own favorite buys. With cheese being a high priority I thought I'd attempt a savory cheese spread. It worked out fabulously in our lasagna! Enjoy it as a spread on bread, crackers, and as a "cheese" in recipes.

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• Add favorite seasoning! I added a dash of liquid smoke to give it a smoky flavor! Plus some garlic salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and cumin.
• Opt: Add nutritional yeast for a very cheesy flavor!

Directions:

1. Soak almonds and cashews for 2+ hours and drain
2. Add 1/3 cup water, lemon juice and garlic
3. To taste: seasoning above and opt for nutritional yeast if handy
4. Blend for 5 min scrape sides
5. Leave on counter in Tupperware at room temperature for 24-48 hours but not longer. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

 

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Buy my book today! ON SALE!!!

Check out my before and after pictures on my new up and coming website!

Best wishes for a wonderful day!

In good health and happiness,

Artistic Vegan

Where did the name Artistic Vegan come from?

My mom would take me with her to art class when I was a little girl and it really touched me. She is an unbelievable artist; check out some of her art by clicking here. I dabbled a little growing up and started painting more in my early-mid 20's. I find it exhilarating and releasing. My mom taught me to just have fun. If you mess up, paint over it. I love that freedom.

Vegan cooking is similar in that it's very forgiving and offers a lot of room for creativity. If it doesn't turn out, add a different ingredient or use it in something else. I try not to waste fresh produce, which can force me to be creative. In turn, I end up creating my most savory dishes in that moment of freedom.

With my combined passion for art and cooking, Artistic Vegan was born!

 It only made sense to make a painting!

What is one ingredient that is key in what I cook and paint? LOVE! Having fun, enjoying the moment, and allowing myself to let go is perhaps the best part. The end result of a something homemade is also very satisfying.

Give it a try - you just might have fun!


Want to know more about me? Check out my website! 

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