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Here are 11 more stories from people who did the Veggie Challenge in Jan/Feb 2009.

I thought I would be a raging carnivore by the end of the week

When I decided to try this, I thought I would be a raging carnivore by the end of the week but I was surprised how easy it was to eat without actually including meat in my meals. I did opt for one easy way out which was to buy pre-packaged veggie meals at the grocery store; but this had the result of turning me into a label reader. However, I resolved with fortitude to stand there in the store and read carefully before throwing things into the cart. I also found I preferred to keep milk and eggs in the picture as I can't have soy products for medical reasons; but I didn't find myself using them all that much. The interesting part was when I had a friend over for the weekend; and I don't think he even noticed that we never had meat, fish or poultry the entire time.

– Steven, age 45-64, Ogdensburg, NY

I had an amazing week of discovery

I had an amazing week of discovery. Found out that a lot of restaurants offer amazing vegetarian cuisine and even found some strictly vegetarian restaurants that I didn't even know existed.

A new love in preparing food and finding out new combinations to tantalize my tastebuds... . Food has become an adventure that is always new and different every meal.

My family overall is supportive of my chosen food lifestyle. I am motivated to continue because my body feels wonderful and light and not weighed down with heavy meats and processed foods. I also feel good about helping the environment and not contributing to the torture of innocent animals. As an added benefit I have lost 8 lbs this week and am excited about improving my health extending my life by my improved food choices.

– Alicia, age 30-44, Delhi, ON

I avoided the stories of horror

I have always referred to myself as an animal lover.

I would get angry at the mistreatment of animals. A dog left tied up in the backyard around the clock, a horse in a field that looked thin or lame, a cat that was left to survive on it's own after the owner moved away, and the whole time I was eating meat and never thought about the treatment of those animals that I was eating at family dinners and special occasions. It was always in the back of my mind, however, I avoided the stories of horror on television and on the internet. I didn't want to know how cruel the industry really was to animals.

One week ago I watched some footage that opened my eyes to the cruelty that we inflict on our animal friends. I can honestly say that I no longer even have a desire to eat meat. I have cut back on dairy products and I know that I will cut it out completely in the near future (sorry chocolate)*. I don't know how far I will go with this but I know I will be thinking about the animals whenever I make a purchase in the future. Thank you Veggie Challenge.

– Kelly, age 45-64, Whitby, ON

* Note: Many dark chocolates are dairy free.

I am 65 years of age – it is never too late to change

Before the 7 day challenge... I was skipping meals, eating very unhealthy and was just not interested in eating any more.

I received your emails and did a lot of research on the web and at the library and visited health food stores and started to educate myself. It is like I found a way of living that really suits my lifestyle and the food and recipes are great.

I am 65 years of age and realize now it is never too late to change. I am on the way to a healthier way of living and enjoying and having fun with the journey.

This is definitely for me. Thank you.

– Mistyjo1, age 45-64, Oshawa, ON

My husband suggested "going vegetarian" for January

Five years ago I married a fellow from the USA and he's slowly been transforming his diet. He came up to Canada and one of the biggest changes he's made is to move from a high-fat, high-sugar diet towards eating better food. We'd discussed eating more vegetarian dishes but I was really happy when he suggested "going vegetarian" for January. Then, in one of those great little moments, when I went to the gym there was a Veggie Challenge flyer posted on the bulletin board. I signed up right away.

For a dedicated meat-eater I thought it would be much harder for my husband, but it has been easy! He's very happy and I'm thrilled because I'd prefer not to eat meat. He's cooked a few meals, and I've explored a lot of new recipes. We only went out to our local fav restaurant once and got to try out their brand new vegetarian menu!

One of the tougher things I found was packing lunches. Most of the lunches we've had were leftovers. As well, the few times when there were no leftovers I learned that many local restaurants didn't have fully vegetarian meals – some included fish sauces and oyster sauce and I'm allergic to both. One other thing I would love to see is the approx. nutritional value in more recipes.

We're going to continue being vegetarians for this month and already my husband's talking about continuing beyond our one month goal. We expect some challenges when we visit our parents but otherwise it shouldn't be that hard.

– ClockworkZero, age 30-44, Toronto

This was the first week that I went totally without any meat

The reason I decided to give the 7 day challenge a try, is that I need to lose weight and take care of my health. I have recently started to believe that you are what you eat, and eating meat no longer appeals to me as much as it did before. I had already given up beef for the past 5 years and I have not missed it at all, therefore, giving up pork, chicken and fish should not be that difficult (I hope).

I have decided to be lacto ovo vegetarian, I do like eating eggs, but I will probably stick with the soy cheeses and the soy beverages.

I was already familiar with substituting Yves veggie ground round in recipes and Schnieder's makes great Oh Naturel! Chick'n Burgers. President Choice Soy Burgers are the best, I could eat those almost every day.

Even though I used these products for the past few years, I still ate pork, chicken and fish. This was the first week, that I went totally without any meat at all, and I found it quite easy, so I plan to keep up my own personal challenge week by week. I am happy that I came across your website and that I decided to take your challenge. I plan to keep in touch with the site for more information and to be more involved with vegetarianism.

– Patricia, age 45-64, Vernon, BC

Rewarding

I found the Challenge was very rewarding. The emails and the website are great resources. I have always been concerned about not getting enough protein or iron in a vegetarian diet, so that was my excuse for continuing to eat meat. But as I read more about agrobusiness and industrial farming/fishing, I realized that I needed to take that next step and cut out poultry. So the Veggie Challenge was a great opportunity to take that next step. And I really appreciated the links to resources and informative emails.

– Julie, age 30-44, Toronto

The bonus is how you feel at the end of the day!

I have been close to living the vegetarian life for a while, I gave up red meat almost a year ago, pork this past November. It was really just the chicken and fish left. Well I was thrilled and very excited to finally want to give those up as well. I feel great and the recipes I have made (vegetarian) are amazing. I would challenge any meat-eater to have dinner at my place and leave feeling like they missed out on anything. I embrace this lifestyle for all it represents and the bonus is how you feel at the end of the day!

– Christine, age 30-44, Toronto

I have genetically high cholesterol

In the past I have been both vegetarian and vegan. For whatever reason, those changes in my diet and lifestyle were not permanent. I am now in a much better position mentally and financially to commit to making the lifestyle and eating choices. I also have my partners' support. He is also now eating vegetarian.

I have continued interest and make the change in diet because of environmental and animal cruelty concerns. My health is also a concern – I have genetically high cholesterol. Meat is great and I enjoy it but I don't particularly miss not eating it.

– Adam, age 30-44, Toronto

Apprehensive starting the Challenge in February

Okay... so I was a little apprehensive starting the Challenge in February... as the cold weather tends to make me reach for comfort foods (in my case chicken and fish). However, I was pleasantly surprised with myself and I have to say looking back, it was the daily e-mails that provided me with support and ideas for meals, that really helped me to continue with the transition to a vegetarian diet.

I also realize that I was checking the e-mails just before meal times... i.e before lunch and dinner... so my motivation to stay committed was easier, plus my head was filled with alternative ideas for meals.

The only part I struggle with is the exercise, but I am hoping that as the weather becomes warmer I will change that too.

Thanks for all the support.

– Zed, age 30-44, Ottawa

It was just as easy to choose healthy and eat vegetarian

My daughter had recommended I try this Challenge. The timing coincided well with lunchtime changes at work. I now have to take a lunch and not leave at noon. So since I had to plan and make my lunch it was just as easy to choose healthy and eat vegetarian.

I had also just begun a Tai Chi class and Reiki class so one life choice blended well with the others. I will continue to follow a vegetarian diet and encourage family members to join me. I have not tried to eat in a restaurant and that continues to be a problem. I have life threatening allergies to nuts and sesame and vegetarian choices are not very safe in a restaurant setting. The safer choice is usually Greek or Indian (curries).

Thank you for encouraging people to make this choice.

– Patricia, age 45-64, Ottawa