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Here are 8 stories from those in their twenties who did the Veggie Challenge in Jan/Feb 2011.

Excited to continue this vegetarian adventure

My vegetarian journey started after I watched Oprah's edition on vegans and then the next day I watched Food Inc. I felt actually embarrassed at myself, because I had no idea where the food even came from that I was eating all this time. I had no clue. I had no idea the animals ate what they did; I had no idea about how they were treated, how the workers and farmers are treated, and the disregard for the consumer's health.

I've never been a big meat-eater anyway, so for me the transition wasn‘t hard at all. I love every minute of it. I don‘t feel like I am missing anything.

Most of my friends or co-workers reactions are either, "good for you" or "where did this come from and why?" In the first couple of days, I felt like I wanted to share everything I had learned with EVERYONE, I felt like EVERYONE should know this and understand what goes on with their food. BUT I learned quickly, I can‘t be a preacher, people will learn on their own. I now just usually say "it was a personal choice based on things I've read and saw, and it‘s better for my health."

My fiancé was at first a little hesitant. Now he is very supportive and actually enjoys the vegetarian meals that I've cooked. "OMG can you make that pasta thing again, that was actually really good!" haha. I've also noticed he likes to share with everyone that his fiance is a vegetarian, I think he is proud of me :)

Nadia's Avocado and Lentil Salad – Butter lettuce, 16 oz can of yellow lentils, 2 avocados, 3 cloves of garlic, 2 Tbsp of vinegar, and 1 lemon.

	Nadia's Veggies and Potato Soup. Visit her excellent blog for this recipe and many more.

As far as cooking, it‘s been fun. I enjoy eating veggie pizzas, pastas and soups. Eating out hasn‘t been really a challenge, it just takes me a little more time to find out what I can eat. Last night I went to a steak house for a birthday dinner and it sure was interesting the giggles I got when I asked what they could do for me being a vegetarian. I was told that "being that this is a steak house, there aren‘t many (or any) options." I took a few more minutes, and found exactly something I could eat. I got 3 different side orders that they usually put with their meats. I ordered asparagus, mushrooms, and a side of mash potatoes. It was an UNREAL dinner. I enjoyed it!

I am really excited to continue this vegetarian adventure. Looking forward to improving my body‘s health and also know that I am helping the environment and innocent animals.

– Nadia, early 20's, Edmonton, AB

Links: Food Inc. Oprah's vegan episode

My family was appalled but my friends received it well!

Reactions to my vegetarianism varied between well received and being appalled – mainly, my family members were appalled and my friends received it well! The Veggie Challenge presented me with information I could use to back up my choice. My mom still doesn't get it but as time goes by she will begin to understand.

A few weeks later, after completing Phase 2:

The biggest challenge for me in my change to vegetarianism has been the people who surrounded me who did not support a vegetarian lifestyle, worst of which is my mother. She continues to push meat on me and question my choices, and when I finally sat down with her and explained every detail of why I made my choice and the impacts of it, she accused me of soap-boxing and preaching.

It's difficult but I tune others out when they judge me – I explain why I made my choice and if they have any other questions I always answer. I do not wish to force my choice on others, I only wish to educate them on their food choices ONLY WHEN they ask.

It is a long road but I LOVE MY FOOD!!! I am proud of myself for finally making the switch and I make amazing meals for my friends and family who are always impressed that I can make delicious and nutritious meals without meat. In fact, I don't know how I could ever reincorporate meat into my diet! Food and I had a terrible relationship before, but now I feel like it is a source of nourishment as well as delight.

– Erin, early 20's, Winnipeg, MN

Our vegan journey

My fiance's brother and sister-in-law are vegan, so we have been eating a lot more vegan and vegetarian food for a while, especially when eating with them.

The Veggie Challenge provided us with an opportunity to see if we could realistically move into vegetarian eating day-to-day in our household. We weren't surprised that the food was good – we have eaten enough fantastic vegan fare to know we were in store for loads of flavour! But what really surprised us was our grocery bill. We expected that the "specialized" vegan ingredients were going to be hard to find and expensive additions to our grocery bill – but we have been eating veggie for two weeks now and our grocery bills are LESS then before.

This was a great experience, and we are continuing on our vegan journey.

– Tara, late 20's, Toronto

The Challenge proved to be an affordable and easy venture

I am a university student, and the Veggie Challenge proved to be an affordable and easy venture for me. Changing my diet proved to be fairly simple, and it is comforting to know that I am doing my part in reducing the widespread ecosystem damage associated with meat production.

My family was a bit hesitant about this diet, particularly about me getting enough protein. But I explained that there were a lot of vegetable-based protein options, as well as some high protein foods like quinoa that I really enjoyed.

Overall, I think it's important to try and switch society over to one that eats less meat. Everyone doesn't have to become a vegetarian, but if everyone ate meat only a couple of times a week, I think the impact would be huge.

– Melanie, early 20's, Kingston, ON

It is a lot easier than it looks

I thought this Challenge would be difficult for me, but I was pleasantly surprised! It is a lot easier than it sounds, and really doesn't take any more preparation. It takes a little imagination at first to break out of the old habits you are raised with, but after you get over that, it's simple to make the right choice!

There are so many options out there now to choose from, you don't even have to give anything up. There is an alternative for everything. Why would we harm our health and the lives of animals, especially when we can still have a version of what we love without doing so?

– Heather, early 20's, Sackville, NB

I finally buckled down and challenged myself to live animal-free

When forcing myself to actually stick to a vegan diet, I realized how easy it was to avoid tons of greasy, fatty, high calorie foods. I soon began to crave fruits and vegetables and see them for what they truly were – nourishment for mind, body, and soul.

I now actually can't tolerate high fat foods and that's absolutely fine with me – the thought of eating meat nauseates me now.

I also realized how accepting and encouraging friends and family are about my decision to avoid meat and animal products. I'm so glad that I finally buckled down and challenged myself to live animal-free. It's been very rewarding, I now have more energy, more clarity of mind, and the pounds have been melting off. The idea of my risk of cancer plummeting is also a weight off of my shoulders.

– Lindsey, early 20's, Pittsburgh, PA

Creating a healthy relationship with food

The Veggie Challenge allowed me to create a healthy relationship with food again. I have been cooking only delicious nourishing food for myself. My body feels wonderful, I'm thinking more clearly, and I'm sleeping really well too. I feel better than I ever have and I definitely plan to make this a permanent change in my life.

– Krystin, late 20's, Toronto

Fabulous!

This was fabulous! Thank you for taking the time to create this program. I have been a vegetarian for about 9 years, and I have the hopes of going completely vegan. This program gave me so many new recipe ideas, and I am well on my way! I have a whole month of meal plans and recipes printed out.

I've also passed it on to a friend who recently told me she wants to go veg.

THANK YOU!!

– Luci, late 20's, Paia, HI