Latest stories and news

Here are 11 stories from people who did the Veggie Challenge in Nov/Dec 2008.

I found it so much easier than I ever dreamed!

I thank you sooo very much for this Challenge. I have been interested in becoming a vegetarian/vegan for so many years!!! I just never knew how to go about it correctly, meaning healthfully. You guys changed that for me! Thank you! I now know where to get the resources I need, for any future questions I ever have. Also, I found it so much easier than I ever dreamed! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am a single mother of 2 beautiful girls who will be adapting this new healthy lifestyle. It will have a huge impact on our lives, as we have animal-based protein allergies. The medical system is never much help with diet issues! I am so happy to be able to share this education with my babies, and start to live and feel so much better, and help our environment at the same time! I will continue to search for new recipes all the time! Thank you again :)

– DeeAnn, age 30-44, Cambridge, ON

I have never felt better

I thought the experience of cutting out something that had seemed like a necessity in my life such as meat was going to be near impossible. However, I was pleasantly surprised how easy the transition has been. The Veggie Challenge provided many insightful factoids that made me want to explore the vegetarian lifestyle further. I am still meat-free almost a week after the Challenge and I have never felt better or had more energy. Although it is a personal decision to become a vegetarian it is definitely one that I see becoming a permanent lifestyle choice for me. Thank you for helping me along with those first initial steps :)

– Ray, early 20's, Waterloo, ON

My daughter is vegetarian

My daughter is vegetarian and I‘m always amazed at her energy and positive attitude. I decided to give the Challenge a try and really enjoyed it. I have been vegetarian off and on from the 70‘s. This time it was much easier, more people accept my decision to be vegetarian. Also, the ease to find different vegetarian foods has become so convenient and easy. It‘s nice now living in a house where the vegetarians outnumber the meat-eaters.

– Bill, age 45-64, Brampton, ON

Problem: there is no where to shop and I have an allergy to soy

I've lived in places where it was either easy or relatively easy to find vegetarian alternatives. Where I am now living (downtown Saskatoon) there isn't even a regular supermarket. Food shopping is done once a week by taking a car and driving several kilometres to the closest supermarket. They may have a few anemic vegetarian choices, but nothing you can base a whole diet on.

Another point that your Challenge doesn't begin to address is the following: allergies to soy and other products that are very common in vegetarian diets. A few years ago (when I used to eat a lot more "vegetarian" meals), I developed an allergy to soy. This allergy is apparently not uncommon. The problem is that, for almost everyone, especially for vegetarians, "vegetarianism = soy." And I'm not even talking about how destructive the soy industry is nor of the health consequences of eating a food so high in phyto-estrogens.

I understand that there are alternatives (almond-based products and rice-based products are the most commonly thrown out), but they are either horrificly expensive (almonds) or even harder to find than soy (or both).

I wish you all the best, but right now a vegetarian diet is simply not possible.

– Mark, age 45-64, Saskatoon, SK

On day 7, I gave in to the meatballs

I subscribed to a Good Food Box (from FoodShare in Toronto) and made healthy meals with fresh veggies/beans/tofu for 6 days. I ate many vegetables I had not tried in the past or thought I did not like. I avoided all meat/poultry/fish/eggs for 6 days and cut back on dairy. Unfortunately on day 7, I attended a Christmas party and gave in to the meatballs. I am confident I could practice a vegan diet at home but may take longer to achieve that when out of my home. Fortunately I do not eat away from home very often.

– Susan, age 30-44, Toronto

I've never liked eating meat

I have really enjoyed my week of being a vegetarian, so much so that I've decided to stick with it. This whole thing has lead me to explore different types of foods and different ways to prepare meals. I've never liked eating meat, but now that I've realized there are ways to avoid it and still be healthy, I will stop eating it. Thanks!

– Katie, teen, Whitby, ON

I hope in time my family will understand

My family didn't take me seriously at first and did not really encourage me in the Challenge. They still need some time to adjust and take me seriously. It's not easy but I think the information I gained from the Veggie Challenge will make it easier to stick to a vegetarian lifestyle, regardless of my family's support. I hope in time they will understand.

– Dawn, early 20's, Toronto

I don't think I'll ever go back to the way I used to eat!

I wasn't sure if I could give up meat. One of my favourite foods were hamburgers. But now that I have tried the Veggie Challenge and tried mock meat alternatives to regular hamburgers and ground beef, it's easier then I thought. The best part is that the alternatives taste great and they are not that hard to find! All of the information provided was extremely helpful. I don't think I'll ever go back to the way I used to eat!

Thank you for changing my life for the better!!

– Tania, late 20's, Burlington, ON

I wanted to have a more sustainable diet

I chose to take this Challenge because I wanted to have a more sustainable diet. I wanted to do my part to reduce the strain put on our planet. I enjoyed all of the meals and will continue this lifestyle.

– Nikki, teen, Concord, ON

My mom gave me the weirdest look

The hardest part of the Veggie Challenge for me will be finding ingredients in my small town of Pembroke, as well preparing these meals takes time. I am hoping to find 15 to 20 recipes that will be tasty and easy to prepare. My mom gave me the weirdest look when I told her I was going vegetarian. I truly want to change my eating habits and no longer want to eat meat, fish or poultry, here's to making it happen.

– Ken, age 45-64, Pembroke, ON

The animals are worth it

Ate too much vegan junk food. Mostly had salad for the evening meal. When my family would go to KFC or Mcdonalds I'd have fries and salad. Still have a long way to improve upon but the animals are worth it.

– Zen chick, age 30-44, Australia