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My week went well. It was a challenge to find vegetarian food that would fill me up for lunch, and after school snacks. I ate sandwiches with beans and different vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and kale. I also ate tofu in my salads, tomato sauce, and sandwiches. I found that I was more satisfied with my vegetarian lunches than I had been with my ham and beef sandwiches and non-vegetarian products. The Challenge forced me to look at other alternatives for foods and snacks. At times I was frustrated because I was hungry! By the third day, though, I had snacks like apples, oranges, grapes, and mango. I love making vegetarian stir fries – they're easy and fun to make; they're also delicious and nutritious! My family would still have their meat meals, but I ate with them, and they were always asking about my colorful, wonderful smelling concoctions.

It was never a problem eating at restaurants. In fact I found new ones around town that I had never known existed. I tried different soups, rice and pasta dishes that fit my vegetarian diet. I found I was always spending less on vegetables than steak, or chicken.

I have no issue in finding vegetarian food that I like but that's a different story for my friends. At school one of my friends is against being vegetarian. We have intense debates, and usually I win because being a vegetarian is the best thing ever! I'm hoping to convince him to a point where I'll be able to send him the Veggie Challenge. Who knows, maybe he'll find it in his heart to not eat animals anymore.

Thank-you for making this Challenge. It has helped me become healthy and aware of a new menu for veggie-based foods. I hope someday everyone will choose to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle.

– Maya, age 16-24, Abbotsford. Winner for Nov/Dec based on a random draw of all selected stories. She wins a subscription to VegNews and gift pack. See prizes page for details.