• ARTISTIC VEGAN
    • Food Blog
    • Personal Blog
    • Recipes
    • Store
    • Cookbook
      • New Book
    • Videos
    • About
      • Disclosure
    • Contact
    • GBA
    • Yoga
    • Retreat
  • ​COOKBOOK​
  • PREMIUM
  • ​Recipes   COOKBOOK   PREMIUM

Garden Love

1/5/2015 0 Comments
 
The dirt beneath my feet, the sun on my shoulders, the breeze kissing my cheeks, the birds chirping in the distance, butterflies passing by and new blossoms on our plants. Today was a good day. It's a new week, a new year and I have a feeling it is going to be great!​
Picture
I am a romantic at heart and am tickled when I find reminders of love in nature. I often find heart rocks or heart clouds but never lover veggies! These were the first carrots we ever grew and I picked them on Christmas. It was a Christmas present I'll never forget and one of my favs! TWO LOVER CARROTS! They were embracing each other as I pulled them out. I had to share the love.
Picture
The harvest is one of my favorite parts!
Picture
Tonight we had Kohlrabi Fries, Sweet and Spicy Carrots and Tofu "scampi" with Bak Choy! The Tofu "Scampi" was from Quick Fix Vegan and was delicious!!! We grew 90% of our dinner and it  such a good feeling.
​
There is nothing like going to Missouri, passing the Amish on their horse and buggy, getting lost on an old dirt road and ending up in an old community with heirloom gardens 'n seeds galore. Then taking those seeds years later, planting them in a transient circumstance and growing a garden with my husband. So this dinner took years to prepare but it was worth it!!!
Picture
There is something magical about prepping the land, planting seeds, having faith, water and sunshine and then magically the plants appear. Months later, harvest time! Assuming no critters, disease, lack of nurturing or too much nurturing didn't harm them. This garden has been the most fruitful garden we've had and man it's fun! With all of the GMO, nanites and more if ever possible, get heirloom seeds and plant them. :)
To a healthy vibrant life!
Christa

0 Comments

Spicy Bok Choy with Beet infused Quinoa and Lentils

12/9/2014 0 Comments
 
Our garden has been very kind to us! We planted it a bit late but with a little sun and water it is thriving. We harvested such a big harvest yesterday that the picture below is not the complete harvest but a portion of what was shared! Everyone loves food, especially fresh from the garden including us. We are so thankful!
Picture
I wish we could have captured the moment when we shared the fresh dill. Three woman gathered  around with bright eyes smelling the fresh scent and examining how nice it was. As the farmers who grew it, Gerald and I were both proud like parents. It was a nice moment in time and we are thankful for the harvest!

We saved some for ourselves and had an incredible lunch. The inspiration came from MommyTang on Instagram who taught me how to eat Bok Choy - blanch it! This is turning into one of our favorites and it is time to share it with you all.
​

This meal is so flavorful you would never know you just ate an entire bundle of Bok Choy! Mix all of those greens with quinoa and lentils and it is a well balanced meal.
Picture
Print Friendly and PDF
Servings: 2    Calories per serving: 293  Weight Watcher + Points: 7

Spicy Bok Choy with Beet infused Quinoa and Lentils
  • 1/2 cup quinoa (*or your favorite grain)
  • 1/4 cup lentils
  • 1.5 cups filtered water (*or vegetable broth)
  • 1.5 tsp beet powder (*read more here)
  • Opt: Top with a fresh herb (we chose dill due to our harvest today)
  • 1 large bundle of Bok Choy
  • 1/4 cup Tamari (or GF Soy Sauce)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 lime - juiced
  • Sesame seeds for oil-free or a dash of sesame oil
  • Red pepper flakes for spice (to taste)
  • Black pepper to taste

Directions:
  1. Place the quinoa and lentils with water in a rice cooker. Add 1.5 tsp beet powder, stir and press cook.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Rinse and cut Bok Choy lengthwise and in half. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the sauce by mixing the tamari sauce, water, garlic, lime juice, sesame seeds (or oil), red pepper flakes and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
  4. Once the water is boiling add the Bok Choy to blanch. Stir for 1 -2 minutes watching closely as not to overcook. Drain (save water for plants or other meals if you can) rinse to cool to touch and squeeze the excess water out.
  5. Place the squeezed Bok Choy in the small bowl with the sauce, mix well to incorporate the flavor.
  6. Take a measuring cup (I used 1 cup) and pack it with the quinoa lentil mixture. Place it in a bowl and surround it with the Spicy Bok Choy. Pour excess sauce on top of the quinoa and lentils. Top with a fresh herb and serve. Serves 2. ENJOY this nutritious meal.

Good points
  • Very low in saturated fat
  • No cholesterol
  • Low in sugar
  • Very high in dietary fiber
  • Very high in iron
  • High in manganese
  • High in magnesium
  • High in phosphorus
  • High in vitamin A
  • Very high in vitamin B6
  • Very high in vitamin C
Picture
I hope you had a great start to the week and have an even better finish!

Christa
0 Comments

Our Little Garden

10/24/2014 0 Comments
 
Gardening is therapy for my heart and soul. First hard work is done to prepare the space, sweat, blisters, bug bites persist yet glorious hard work overcomes all bringing a great sense of joy and inner peace. As the weeds come out of the ground they also come out of my soul.
Picture
Then come the rows, carefully prepared with love hoping the hard work has paid off. Seeds are picked out, planted, covered and blessed.
​

Then the 3 w's:
  1. Watering
  2. Waiting
  3. Weeding
​
I wonder will the seeds take...will they grow. When I don't see anything I doubt for a moment and am overjoyed to find growth on a new day.
Picture
Gardening is like anything else, if you don't succeed the first time try again! I've already re-seeded a few areas and thankfully I did because now new growth is coming up. I have a few more to tend to. ;)
Picture
We planned our rows out this time.
Picture
Can you tell I am married to an engineer? He helped organize us and I learned quickly documenting it on an excel spreadsheet. Fun!
Picture
Fingers crossed what we planned actually comes to fruition!
Picture
Picture

I am hoping the garden produces so much we have plenty to share!!!
Picture
Here are some of the beauties coming up!
Picture
Do you have a garden? We hope to have a big piece of property someday, an earth ship home and a permanent garden spot but for now we are so happy to have the go-ahead to plant where we are. We've done container gardening in San Diego on our patio and it was fun to see how much we could grow. Whether big or small in a kitchen window seal or a patio growing plants brings much joy!
Picture
With love and dirt under my thumb,
Christa
​

“It was such a pleasure to sink one's hands into the warm earth, to feel at one's fingertips the possibilities of the new season.”
― Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden

0 Comments

Urban Garden

7/2/2013 0 Comments
 
I absolutely adore our little Urban Garden.
Picture
Each morning I start my day in the garden. I start the hot water and then step outside into my little slice of paradise. I find it is one of the best ways for me to start the day as I instantly enter into a state of meditation. I don't know which grows more, the garden or the gardener. It's always teaching me new lessons.
My garden has taught me patience. It's taught me to have faith. To have will and determination.

I've seen a plant look completely dead, literally not a green leaf to be found and a brown lifeless stem. Somehow, someway it had the will to live and was determined to fruit again. Sure enough, almost all of our plants survived a mild SoCal winter and are in bloom for their SECOND season! It never seizes to amaze me (or my dad!)

Life is so fragile, one moment the plant is strong and vigorous and then the next moment weak and frail. At times I lose hope and think all is lost, but then out of nowhere the plant comes back stronger than before! This can be true of humans too! What has your garden taught you?

Before the plant passes it flowers so it may spread its seed and multiply. I think the love we show people can be like spreading seeds. Do you?

The garden is a place to be still, quiet and just be. In that moment I've spent precious moments with nature. I've had a hummingbird come so close to me I honestly thought it was going to touch me! What special moments have you shared in nature?
One day I dream of owning a plot of land where I can garden until my heart is content. I want to be able to grow all of my food. A couple of years ago Jerry and I spent some time in the NW corner of Arkansas. I first cried when I learned we were staying longer than a week but soon fell madly in love with the state. They call it the Natural state. There is an adventure waiting around every corner. The wildlife is stellar and I can't wait to go back. While we were there some friends did a trade with us, our end was to build a garden. We'd only been dying to build one since we arrived so we jumped in full force. I didn't know what I was getting into. LOL! It was a lot of rocks! It was back-breaking labor but honestly worth every second of it! We started a bit late and it was getting cold quick. We gathered as much as we could before the frost came and enjoyed what we could.
The fall came and it with it 30 degree nights and decreasing!
Picture
Picture
We high tailed it back to CA!
Picture
And here we are almost 2 years later thankful for our little urban garden!
Picture
With love,
Christa
0 Comments

Urban Garden

9/15/2012 5 Comments
 
Having the chance to grow your own food is priceless. Even a small garden on the porch is enough to bring a smile to your face and a sense of organic health right to your door. For me, being able to cook organic okra fresh from the garden, eat homemade pickles, a fresh tomato off the vine and add fresh herbs to a meal makes it all worthwhile. 
 
Jerry and Christa's Urban Garden - San Diego, CA Summer 2012
Picture
The harvest is so sweet!
Picture
Fresh Cucumbers grown on our porch!
Picture
Even if you can get a kitchen herb, it's a great place to start. I find it helps you get in touch with Mother Nature and yourself. Plus, the flavor from fresh herbs is priceless!
 
Grow, grow, grow!
Christa
5 Comments
    Picture
    Follow
    Picture

    Meet Christa

    Hi! Welcome to ArtisticVegan.com where you can find hundreds of vegan recipes. I love cooking, am a yoga teacher, structural integrator and so much more. It's my desire to help you find a healthy lifestyle. Thank you for being here!

    Find Yoga at ChristaJClark.com

    More about Christa
    Search Artistic Vegan 

    Current Reader Favorites
    Picture
    Homemade Vegan Italian Spiced Sausages
    Picture
    Grilled Beets
    Picture
    Grilled Plantains
    Picture
    Vegan Chicken
    Picture
    Homemade Vegan Sausage 
    Soy & Gluten-Free

    FIND RECIPES
    Picture
    Picture
    Shop
    Shop
    Shop


    Best Food Blogs

    Top 15 Blog 2022

    Picture
    ​ ​
    FEATURES
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    The man who lights my fire!
    www.geraldclark77.com
    Picture
    Picture

    The Artistic Vegan Cookbook - eBook

    $9.99
    View Details
    Shop
    Shop
    Shop
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    30 Day Cleanse
    Appetizers / Sides
    Bars
    Beans
    Beverages
    Bread
    Breakfast
    Burgers
    Cake
    Chocolate
    Condiments
    Cookies
    Desserts
    Eating Out
    Frosting
    Frozen Desserts
    Gardening-mother-earth
    Gluten Free
    Main Dishes
    Meat Alternatives
    Most Popular
    Muffins
    Noodles / Pasta
    Oatmeal
    Omelettes
    Pancakes
    Pie
    Pizza
    Raw
    Rice Grains
    Rice-grains
    Salads
    Sandwich
    Sauces Dressings
    Sauces-dressings
    Seasonal
    Side
    Smoothies/Smoothie Bowls
    Snacks
    Soups
    Spreads
    Tacos
    Wellness
    Yoga

    Archives

    April 2025
    January 2025
    September 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    November 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    August 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012


© artisticvegan.com 2012-2025
Theme by ROOMY THEMES

Search hundreds of recipes:

Join thousands of followers!

Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. - Paul Coehlo "The Alchemist"
© 2012-2019 artisticvegan.com
Theme by ROOMY THEMES

  • Food Blog
  • Personal Blog
  • Recipes
  • Store
  • Cookbook
    • New Book
  • Videos
  • About
    • Disclosure
  • Contact
  • GBA
  • Yoga
  • Retreat