Here are nine stories about eating from people who did the Veggie Challenge in July/Aug 2008.

Motivation and temptation at the farmers' market

I have no willpower. I know what's good for me and yet I keep making poor choices. For example, when I was at the Brick Works Farmers' Market, I bought some really nice vegetables and made some nice vegetarian dishes, but I also made some sweet potato fries (fried!) just because I was tempted to try. And it was very good, but I felt bad because I could have made these in the oven and it would have been much healthier. In the Farmer's market, people were also selling roasted potatoes with chorizo, and that looked sooooo good! I asked them if they made a vegetarian option but they didn't. Because I was so tempted to try it, I got some, thinking that I was simply not going to eat the tiny chorizo pieces, but then I felt guilty for wasting food and I ate the meat too. 

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with my progress. I eat at home all the time now, instead of going to restaurants, so I save a lot of money, which helps me buy expensive vegetables at the farmer's market. I enjoy going there because I'm starting to know the people and the variety of vegetables they sell motivates me to try new dishes and be more creative. For example, I can't resist buying those colorful chards and root vegetables every week, so I need to find several new and interesting ways to use these so I don't get bored. I am also asking the people at the market for new ideas to cook the vegetables they sell, and that's been a lot of fun!

I also enjoy cooking when I come back from work: it's a nice way to relax and stop thinking about work! The only problem is that I live alone, so I always make too much food, and I think I am gaining some weight. Sometimes I invite friends over, to try my new dishes, and I am building myself a nice reputation for being a good cook. I'm proud of that!

– Lucie, age 30-44, Toronto

Soycinnos are fantastic

I now don't like the taste or smell of regular cow's milk after having gone on a soy-based diet for the last week and a half (and I used to be a lean mean milk freak). Soycinnos are fantastic and chai tea actually tastes better with soy – milk makes chai taste musky and fatty.

I don't think this event technically qualifies as a challenge because I didn't miss meat at all – it was surprisingly, really easy and I saved a ton of money that I would otherwise have spent on meat! I will eventually move onto not needing eggs I think!. I now love my legumes and pulses and use them in place of meat in spaghetti sauces and curries. Herbs are wonderful additions too – Marjoram and bay leaf go far in veggie stews!!

– Daryl, age 30-44, Melbourne, Australia

Cooking meals was actually fun

Going one week without meat was really no hardship. It was going without seafood that was the most difficult part. Cooking meals was actually fun – I bought a book called 'How It All Vegan' and it was great. I made a couple of recipes, entrees and desserts and the kids actually liked them. I've relied too much on meat products, thinking my family and I needed the protein, but reading through different articles showed me that protein can be derived from many different sources. I am trying to convince my partner that he too should try the Challenge. He feels that because he eats organic meat, it's 'okay.'

Thanks for everything,

– Katina, age 45-64, Toronto

I do not miss meat at all

I had already started a vegetarian 'diet' so to speak, two weeks before I entered the Challenge. But I had not been eating very well until this Challenge week. I found so many delicious recipes and do not miss meat at all.

I hope to continue this diet and learn new recipes and get used to some of the soy products out there ;)

– Lissy, early 20's, Kitchener, ON

I really enjoyed being creative in the kitchen

I started as a vegetarian and decided to take the Challenge to become vegan. At first, I thought it would be difficult to find things to eat but what I discovered was that there was even more out there to eat than I realized. I really enjoyed being creative in the kitchen and look forward to continuing with the vegan diet. Thanks so much!

– Amanda, late 20's, Toronto

Lazy about cooking

I have been very unmotivated about cooking so I found myself eating out a lot. I am in Toronto and there are a lot of great vegetarian restaurants and also restaurants with vegetarian options. I really like Vegetarian Haven and Annapurna. Also, I found myself having a lot of fast food such as Taco Bell (a lot of veggie substitution options) and a lot of veggie subs at Subway, Mr. Sub and Quiznos. I find them all pretty good. So, I managed to eat vegetarian and I enjoyed it. I felt better about myself and I hope I will have the discipline to continue going and also start making my own meals. In the meantime I think it would be fantastic if there was a book or article for a vegetarian fast food weight loss diet for people like me who need to lose weight and are kind of lazy about cooking.

– Davey, age 30-44, Toronto

My journey for optimal health and animal welfare

I became more interested in a vegetarian diet within the last couple of weeks. I read as much as I could and watched some videos from PeTA and Farm Sanctuary. I was horrified and brought to tears on many occasions because I am an animal lover. I am also aware that food is fuel and that the body is designed by God to heal itself provided we give it the right nutrition.

I was introduced to the Veggie Challenge from a Farm Sanctuary web link. This past week required planning and appropriate shopping which is not hard it just takes effort. I used online recipes I received from the Challenge and veg.ca, and ones from a cookbook called The Compassionate Cook. I prepared all meals so that I was not tempted. I am also married to someone who is not yet a vegetarian and I am still in transition myself. He was fully supportive (and is of everything I do) and ate some of the same veggie meals as well. I will educate my hubby without pushing him to change. I believe we are convicted when we're open and ready. Thanks for the emails. I will do my best to continue my journey for optimal health and for animal welfare!

– Lianne, age 30-44, Stoney Creek, ON

Definitely a journey

Eating veg for a week was NOT so hard as I was headed to a camp that offered both meat and veg based meals.

The only time I was tempted was when faced with the breakfast bacon. The rest of the time, the veg options won out. They were so much more tasty that the camp had to enforce access to veggie meals by checking who was on the "official" veggie list.

It's been a great week ... I've learned ways to add more veggie meals to my family's diet.

It's not an overnight destination – definitely a journey. Thanks for challenging me.

– Canada Kate, age 45-64, Toronto

I am now fully vegetarian

I used to eat some chicken but after taking the Challenge I am now fully vegetarian. The emails made me aware of all the veggie things that can be used and bought. There are more healthy choices available.

I am now trying to assist my family to become vegetarian. They have been to restaurants with me where I have made veggie choices and have been very happy.

– Krupa, age 45-64, Mississauga, ON