Tess Challis - "How a vegan diet can transform your health"

Art in the cafe...

Tamara Lea Kaufman


"pretty ~ ugly"


February 2026



Artist Statement Tamara Lea Kaufman’s personal artwork ranges from serious to quirky, dark, adult-themed humor. She creates multimedia assemblage, collage, and dioramas made from HO-scale railroad hobby miniatures, preserved insects, paint, embroidery, found objects, and typically discarded materials such as candy wrappers and the overlooked debris of everyday life. Her work explores topics of consumption, waste, desire, relationships, psychology, politics, societal pressures and the levity of humor needed to survive it all. It gives her joy to repurpose materials into something new, useful, or...
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

"Quintessence ("Tess") Challis began her holistic health journey in her late teens. After a lifetime of numerous health ailments (including acne, obesity, strep throat, constant illnesses, anxiety, and depression), she found that a vegan diet along with an "inner wellness regime" of meditation and visualization literally made a world of difference.

In 1994, she began sharing this knowledge through cooking classes, catering, meditation classes, and workshops. She has also been a personal chef to many clients across the United States.

In 2008, Tess published the 1st edition of "Radiant Health, Inner Wealth" which was the culmination of knowledge from her many personal experiences and work as a chef and instructor. In 2009, her 2nd edition was published, which has been noted as the most unique, comprehensive book on the subject of holistic health to date.

Tess's latest book, The Two-Week Wellness Solution: The Fast Track to Permanent Weight Loss and Vitality was just released this month (click here for information). Tess resides in southwest Colorado.

Speaker