Here are 12 stories from those who did the Veggie Challenge in Nov/Dec 2010.

Becoming vegan: a challenge and an adventure

Becoming vegetarian is something I have wanted to do for a very long time. I didn't plan to become vegan, but after doing a fair bit of research, I decided to eliminate eggs and dairy from my diet as well. The animal welfare issue was my main motivating factor, and the health benefits came in a close second. I was interested in watching the movie, "Earthlings," but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Nevertheless, my appetite for meat disappeared overnight. Thankfully, I love to cook, and I consider being vegan a challenge and an adventure. I have been learning how to make homemade seitan faux meats and enjoying all of my healthy, meatless kitchen creations.

I cannot really explain why it took me this long to wake up to the reality of my role in supporting the appalling conditions factory-farm animals must endure, but I am very grateful that I finally got it. I am a convert.

Update (1/23/2011): Both my husband and I are now committed vegetarians (no eggs, no dairy, either). We've both lost weight and feel great! I started this for ethical reasons, but the health benefits are amazing! We're both in our 40s, but don't feel it. This decade is going to be a good one in our lives.

– Linda (and Greg), age 40-49, Lanark, ON

Happily vegetarian despite the difficulties

I joined the Veggie Challenge because I had been trying to convert to a vegetarian/vegan diet for several months, but was struggling. Originally, it was my husband's suggestion to become vegan. He and I were going vegan together, to become more healthy. He lost interest after a few weeks, however, and went back to eating meat. He also began to insist that I do the same! None of my other friends or family are vegetarian, so not only had I no support, but I also had a vocal deterrent. It was discouraging.

To add difficulty, we live in a rural area where meat- and dairy-replacement foods are limited. I needed to build my recipe book with a variety of vegetarian meals that used common grocery store items and also tasted good. I also wanted to ensure adequate nutrition since my health was the primary reason I decided to become vegetarian in the first place.

The Veggie Challenge has done a lot to help me feel more confident and more committed to choosing a vegetarian lifestyle. The emails give great meal options that can be easily prepared at home with normal home kitchen appliances. The information about nutrition is clear and helpful, and I trust it because it comes from a nutritionist. I also enjoyed the informative articles and especially the encouragement. I'm looking forward to the extended Challenge. The menus and meal plans will help me develop better eating habits and build my health.

	TLT (Tempeh, Lettuce and Tomato) sandwch Photo: Mike Crooker www.flickr.com/photos/tofu/

During this week, I've successfully eliminated meat altogether and have made great strides in reducing dairy products as well. My husband even enjoyed the recipes and has found the nutrition facts interesting. It's been challenging at times, like when I have cravings for mac and cheese or BLTs, but I am starting to find that preparing a different great-tasting meal helps me forget the craving. Plus it makes me feel good knowing that I'm taking care of my body, animals and the environment.

Thanks to the Veggie Challenge, I'm more happy than ever that I'm converting to vegetarianism. Thank you so much for all you do.

– Stacie, age 30-39, Coal City, WV

*Note: See our www.veg.ca/lunch for our delicious TLT sandwich made with tempeh (if you can find it in rural stores). You can also make a nice vegan mac and cheese. Try google searching it!

Looking at the world through different eyes

My Veggie Challenge actually went very well. For some reason the time was just right. I gave some thought to changing my eating habits and going vegetarian about five months ago. I really thought I wouldn't be able to give up meat. I was raised in a home where meat was a staple in our diet. My mother hated vegetables and my father loved eating almost anything.

We ate a variety of every kind of meat and fish available, and butter and gravy were almost always present at the table. It is no wonder my family history had heart disease in it, and I just lost both my parents to it. It was just another reason to change my habits.

	"I couldn't help noticing one family's cart full of junk food" Creative Commons photo. View original.

I found it exciting trying new vegetables and different combinations of things. The whole way of cooking is certainly different than what I was used to. I have read tons of information on the internet and in some books on vegetarianism and veganism.

And I must say I don't think I can look at meat in the same way again. In fact, just the other day I was in the grocery store picking up something and I couldn't help noticing one family's cart full of junk food with hardly any fruits and vegetables in it... a cart which probably looked like my mother's on her shopping day when we were growing up.

I am very aware of much more now and know about how animals are being mistreated and the impact of the meat industry on our environment. It makes me feel good knowing that changing my eating habits will have a positive impact on my life and the whole world. Thank you for your help, support and information.

– Andrea, age 50-64, Maple Ridge, BC

Husband-and-wife veggie team

My husband and I both participated in this Veggie Challenge. I was mostly eating fish and eggs and my husband was a full-out meat-eater prior to the Challenge. We went completely meat, eggs and dairy-free for one week and LOVED it! My husband, who felt that he needed to have meat at least once a day, realized how great he could feel to not have it at all. It was the same with milk. He was convinced that he needed it in his diet to be healthy, but with a little education, he has switched to alternative milk products. I will remain off meat and dairy and will only prepare organic chicken for my husband when he craves it. So far, almost another week later, he hasn't yet. Thanks for this program! I will definitely be passing it around to friends.

– Natalie, age 30-39, Hamilton, ON

Horrified by cruel animal slaughter

	"I have been feeling more energized and happier with myself, knowing that I am helping the environment and my family."

It was a bit challenging in the beginning to eat without meat. I was very motivated to do this since I saw a video from PETA.org about how they slaughter the animals. It was horrifying, what they do to chickens, cows, pigs and fish. It was enough to make me decide that I didn't want to contribute to this inhumane way of treating and killing animals.

I have enjoyed eating more vegetables and interesting new foods such as quinoa and tofu. I have two small kids and it is a bit challenging to feed them these new foods, but they are coming around. I have been feeling more energized and happier with myself, knowing that I am helping the environment and my family to have a healthier and better life.

– BettyB, age 30-39, Port Coquitlam, BC

I love animals and I was eating them

My Veggie Challenge went OK. I did eat meat twice. I ate chicken once, and bacon the other time. Oh, and I had beef-flavored broth in a stir fry.

My biggest challenge is that my husband is a meat-eater. He supports my decision, but says he is not going to become vegetarian. I am interested in becoming a vegetarian for health reasons. I am hoping it will help me make better food choices. I mean, I love animals. I hate seeing them in pain. I was eating them. It just doesn't seem right anymore. I also make sure even normal every day stuff is not tested on animals.

I haven't told my family yet. I live away from them, so next time I go visit I will tell them. I am very excited about this new change! I hope it will go easily. The change was not difficult for me. I can still enjoy all the things I used to enjoy. I just substitute something else for the meat ingredient.

– Sophie, early 20's, North York, ON

My decision, my choice

I found the Veggie Challenge to be just what it promotes: a challenge. My boyfriend joined me on the one-week vegetarian experiment, but the minute the week was over he was back to eating a carnivorous diet, while I stuck to my guns.

My family and friends don't understand my decision, stating that I'm lacking in nutrition and I'm very pale (I'm a redhead... I was pale even when I did eat meat!).

It would be so much easier if more restaurants carried a variety of vegetarian-friendly food (pasta and salad does seem pretty humdrum after a while). Apart from these challenges, I will continue with my vegetarian life choice. It's a lifestyle that forces me to be more creative with my meals, especially around the holidays.

– Vanessa, teen, Embrun, ON

I did it for my health and I have never felt better

I basically became a vegetarian as I am a sales rep in the GTA/Peterborough area and drive by many farms with cute baby animals. I love animals and decided I couldn't eat them any longer. I stopped eating veal and lamb about 20 years ago and then in Oct 2009 (Thanksgiving) started eating more vegetarian meals. I was also put on cholesterol medication and decided by becoming a complete vegetarian I could get off the pills. I did it for my health and I have never felt better. I don't get invited out for dinner as much as I used to, as friends and family do not know what to feed me – this is the only hard part of the whole process*. Thanks for all the ideas and recipes, they were great.

– Heather, age 50-64, Port Perry, ON

*Note: Over time, you may find that family and friends adjust to the idea of you being vegetarian. Then they may start making vegetarian meal options for you and hopefully for themselves too. It is also nice to tell them that you are happy to bring a vegetarian dish when you visit.

Concerned about the treatment of farm animals

My son and I were influenced by a friend to start thinking about the treatment of farm animals. After some research, we decided that it made sense to only eat animal products that we knew were farmed and slaughtered with compassion. At the same time, the Veggie Challenge came to my attention, and has helped me to find oodles of recipes and allay my fears about lack of protein or nutrients that I thought went along with a vegetarian/vegan diet. It is easy and inexpensive to produce vegetarian/vegan meals at home, and I find it a lot easier than cooking meat. We are now eating vegetarian at home with eggs and milk (that we are satisfied are produced with compassion for the animals). When we go out, we eat vegan. It's been a very easy transition. Thank you for the Veggie Challenge!

– Westie, age 50-64, Vancouver, BC

My daughter is a vegetarian

My daughter is a vegetarian and I always felt that she was not getting enough nutrition. By taking the 7-day Veggie Challenge, I learned more about vegetarianism and tried foods that I would never normally eat. Overall, it was a good learning experience for me. The recipes were great and the information throughout the website was helpful. I now have a better understanding on the choice my daughter made and I feel more confident that vegetarians eat healthy.

– Brenda, age 50-64, Sydney, NS

Diabetic vegan diet makes a diference!

I started a diabetic vegan diet before, so I think that is the reason I found it easier than someone else would have.

I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) at 18. Back then, they really did not give you any info but told you take birth control pills. :(

It affected my fertility and it caused me to have weight issues, depression and low self esteem. I went from 125 to 230 pounds at one point (pregnancy made me hit the highest). Because I am insulin-resistant I cannot use every vegan recipe as I have to limit/restrict sugars, simple carbs and processed foods like enriched white flour.

I have noticed the difference! As I have started to get a cycle on my own. Since December 15th until now (mid January) I have lost 15 pounds without really trying.

– Simone, age 30-39, Pickering, ON

Incorporating vegetarian meals

Found a really great way to enjoy some vegetarian meals for me and my family. Will definitely incorporate some of the recipes into our day-to-day meal planning!

– Tasha, age 30-39, Ponoka, AB