Here are stories from teens and those in their 20's who did the Veggie Challenge in Sept/Oct 2010.

Vegtastic! I love being vegetarian

My Veggie Challenge was pretty Vegtastic. My boyfriend and I decided to do it together, at first it was a bit hard, we found that we really had to watch the labels and ingredients in products that looked vegetarian but really were not like soup for instance. A lot of them had chicken or beef in the broth.

I became interested in vegetarianism in July when I went to a concert in Toronto and people were there giving information about being a vegetarian. I like being a vegetarian because I can help the animals and stay healthy at the same time. We now have no meat products in our apartment. I love being vegetarian :)

I enjoyed the emails, they were full of good information and recipes.

Update (Dec 2, 2010): I am still a vegetarian and loving it, I feel like I have more energy and my body feels free of all the toxins I was eating before. I find that I get questioned a lot about my choice and I am never afraid to let people know why I chose a vegetarian diet. I find that a lot of people are misinformed of the nutrition you can get from vegetables. Everyone is always wondering and worrying about how I am getting my protein and calcium and are always surprised to hear the many answers that I come back with. I bet if everyone just tried it even for just a week they would see how diverse and healthy a vegetarian diet can really be.

– Danielle, early 20's, Pickering, ON

Vegetarianism is right for my whole family!

I am a wife and a mother of two kids. I spoke to my daughter (5 years old) about how she felt about eating "meat" and she said it made her sad that people kill animals. So I looked and looked and read so many things saying vegetarianism is not for kids or infants. Then I was like – I don't care, my baby girl wants to do it, I want to do it, and I don't want my 9 month old being exposed to salmonella, e-coli, mad cow, bird flu, etc. So I decided it was the way to go for my kids and I. I signed up for the Veggie Challenge for extra info, ideas, suggestions etc. I personally think it should be a 30 day email program. A week wasn't sufficient enough.

Anyway, happy vegetarianism! My family won't become fully vegan – some things children can't avoid during snack time (at school). As for me, I am pretty much vegan, with the exception of milk (feel guilty enough for the calves) in my tea outside of home, as many stores don't carry almond milk.

My family's diet is very challenging as we don't eat GMO's at all. So we are heavily restricted – no soy etc.

– Krystle, early 20's, Toronto

Breast of Tofu was a hit

When I started the Veggie Challenge I was worried about making dinner on a nightly basis for my boyfriend and I. He loves meat, and although he eats pretty much whatever I make, I was worried about not buying meat all week. So I looked up a few recipes and tried a Breast of Tofu. This was delicious! I made enough for dinner one night with a bit left over to go on a home made pizza the next night.

Breading marinated tofu. Click on the image for the recipe and cooking video.

I noticed my energy levels were up, and I was feeling happier and better than I have in a while.

One of the challenges I faced was trying to find vegetarian food in the ready-made section of my grocery store*. I was out with a few friends and grabbing something quick to eat but all of their sandwiches had meat in them, and the salads had bacon bits. I ended up going with a cheese and cracker tray, which was expensive but filling.

I am going to continue with the 3 week Veggie Challenge!

- 3 weeks later -

It has been a challenge learning how to cook vegetarian foods while also feeding my boyfriend (we live together). This Challenge has allowed me to try new foods and experiment in the kitchen – something I love to do!

I have tweaked some of my favorite meat recipes and made them vegetarian, and have even been eating a lot of vegan food, too. I have even came up with a healthy bean burger that can be made into a roast, bean "meat" loaf and used as a general meat replacement that works great in tacos!

I am very happy that I completed this Challenge and plan to continue with the vegetarian lifestyle!

– Stacie, early 20's, Dartmouth, NS

*Note: Urban centers often have a good selection vegetarian convenience products but if your favourite store is lacking options, try making a request. Or shop at a different store. Natural food stores are a good bet.

Gallstone attack prompted gradual switch to vegetarian diet

Taking on the 7 Day Veggie Challenge was a breeze! Mind you, I had already paved the way by eating a low fat diet that did not include dairy products (due to lactose intolerance) and red meat (due to a gallstone the size of a golf ball). Since those dreadful gallstone* attacks in October 2009, I started eating tofu, beans and legumes regularly to replace the meat I was no longer eating. During the Veggie Challenge, eliminating the chicken and fish I used to eat once per week was not as difficult as making that initial step. Starting slow is definitely the way to go.

I regularly research new and easy recipes on the internet.

My biggest challenge has been facing the reactions from my family and friends. They express many concerns about my family‘s health (my son and I), doubting the nutritious value of a vegetarian diet, particularly for a growing boy. Our opposing views on healthy diets differ so greatly it has unfortunately lead to heated discussions. However, during this learning experience, I discovered that my view on nutrition and ability to make such changes is not as easy for others. I try to never impose my position. Instead, when discussing, I only offer the information that has resonated and motivates me to continue this path of optimal health. I regularly research new and easy recipes on the internet and feel confident that I am providing my son and me a healthy and well balanced meal.

– Carolyn, late 20's, Oshawa, ON

*Note: Avoiding gallstones might be easier than you think. "Compared to meat eaters, vegetarian women were only about one-fourth as likely to need gallbladder surgery."

Saving the world one week at a time

I knew that once I hit college, vegetarianism was for me. I hated the fact that eating meat meant eating muscle and fat. As a kid I was never fond of meat, I always ate the smallest portion and even then I never ate it all. So when I knew I was moving out I started to cut back on meat and then once college hit I stopped completely. The first week of college and my first week of vegetarianism was a bit hard, especially the third day – which I guess is why everyone calls it the hump day. I was craving chicken so bad – but I was strong and held out and ate some pasta, veggies and sauce instead.

I thought it would be harder to be able to eat with my friends, but in fact it was rather easy. My friends made separate portions for me and bought veggie dogs and burgers.

Where I lived it wasn't common for people to be vegetarians, but I guess in college it is much more acceptable.

I am glad that I found this Challenge and was able to complete it. Thank you for helping save the world one week at a time :]

– Rebekah, teen, Kitchener

I am determined to stick with it forever

It is difficult to find vegetarian places to eat out in Burlington, but I am determined to stick with it forever. The more the public is interested and the demand is there, restaurants and stores will be more willing to accommodate. If they choose not to, they certainly lose my business!

I hope to evolve to veganism and will work very hard to make the transition. I have felt amazing turning vegetarian and can only imagine the changes that a vegan lifestyle will bring.

I have recently purchased a juicer, which by using, I have created even more ways to change up my vegetarian diet with new fruits and vegetables that I don't usually eat.

All in all, I am happy to learn about resources for people like me and with the help of the Toronto Vegetarian Association, my life has changed.

– Alanna, late 20's, Burlington, ON

Caught by temptation while hungry

The Veggie Challenge was fun and easy... that is, up until on my very last day when I was tempted by some delicious non-veggie foods at a work party. I was too hungry not to give in and therefore ultimately failed my challenge. It was quite disappointing to fail after being so committed all week. Lesson learned, one must plan meals ahead of time so as not to get caught by temptation while hungry without a plan. At least it's a good excuse to start the Challenge all over again; and this time I'll plan for success!

– Nina, late 20's, Toronto

The Veggie Challenge helped me understand

I've been flexitarian for over a year (mostly vegetarian). I like fish and seafood because of where I came from. The Veggie Challenge helped me better understand the impact that flesh has not just on our body but also on our world.

I had read different books and articles but when you decide to switch your diet you have to understand well how it works.

The links and articles you suggested in your emails have been helpful and I have shared them with some of my friends that aren't vegetarian at all – and of course, they just keep teasing me because they have no idea of how it works. They are the kind of people that think that vegetarians just eat salads.

I decided to take the Challenge because I want to be more involved and become (sometime soon) mostly vegan, which isn't easy because I love cheese and find it difficult to get a substitute for it. Anyway because I care about myself and my health being vegan is the next step.

Thanks for your daily emails !!!!

– Gladis, late 20's, Toronto

My farming community didn't understand

I had a tough time with family and family friends. They were sometimes offended when I informed them I was trying out the idea of being a vegetarian. Previously, I had received a lot of negative words for cutting red meat out of my diet, as this was considered a step in the wrong direction. (I'm from a farming community where we catch our own meat... which I suppose is less harmful to the environment).

Great recipes! (I didn't tell my family there was no meat, no one noticed!)

– Jane, Saskatoon, SK

Informative even for a vegan

I was already vegan but was interested in seeing what information I would receive in my inbox everyday. The emails were informative and very well done and I was very impressed. The recipes seemed easy and delicious. Overall I am quite impressed and will be recommending that my non-vegetarian friends and family take the Veggie Challenge.

– Meve, late 20's, Toronto

We were totally inspired

My husband and I had been in transition to being vegetarian and we found it very challenging. We then attended the Vegetarian Food Fair and were totally inspired. After talking to so many people and then joining the Veggie Challenge – it was the push we needed. Now we are not afraid to tell our family and friends that we are vegetarian, we are not there 100% yet... but we will be and we feel great about it! Thanks for everything!

– Carole, late 20's, Toronto

I now gladly choose vegetarian meals over meat!

On Sept 12, 2010, my friend and I went to the Vegetarian Food Fair (entering as meat-eaters) for fun. We saw the Veggie Challenge booth and decided to give it a try. That day we went full vegetarian. We stayed the on course for the one week. When it was over, we both decided to continue, and to this day we still are (1 month and two weeks, not bad for meat-eaters, huh?). Admittedly, giving up meat was pretty hard to do on a daily basis, but turning vegetarian made me open my eyes to more and more truths/facts about the meat industry. Now I gladly choose vegetarian meals over meat.

– Catherine, teen

A new found respect for vegetarians

I had to do the Veggie Challenge for a college project, but I wasn't really into the whole idea of becoming a vegetarian for a week. But as I made my way through it, I enjoyed learning more about nutrition and the common misconceptions of being a vegetarian. Overall, I don't think the vegetarian lifestyle is right for me, but I have a new found respect for vegetarians.

– Kyle, teen, Windsor, ON