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Here are 14 stories from those who did the Veggie Challenge in May/June 2010.

Energy boost for this mother of two

I am a 36 year old mother of two. I have decided to remove meat from my diet after reading The Kind Diet.

I have never really enjoyed meat to the point that giving it up would be hard. I was actually sort of astounded that it took me so long to get here. My diet included meat just because it was always considered a necessity of a healthy diet in my family. My biggest concern was to get enough protein. That is where the educational emails really helped.

I find vegetarian food delicious, and not as hard as I thought to prepare. My food staples are whole grain cereals, Ezekiel bread, brown rice, quinoa, nuts and beans. I find the food very satisfying, I no longer crave bad carbs! And that is the best part for me as I would always go through my cupboards looking for cookies after a high protein, low carb dinner. I found myself totally satisfied and with no cravings and this was my PMS week! Also my daughter (8 years old) is enjoying all the new foods, so much that she actually devours her dinners, as before it would take her forever to finish dinner. My energy levels are high, and I feel... cleaner on the inside. :>

Newly converted.

– Isabella, age 30-39, Brampton, ON

Overcoming concerns about anemia

I met a representative from the Toronto Vegetarian Association at the Green Living Show in Toronto on April 24th. I expressed concerns over having been anemic last time I tried to go vegetarian (I believe in it for ethical and health reasons and I love the food but was scared to try again). The representative shared that she had had a similar experience and explained that it was possible to be an active vegetarian and not become anemic. So, I have been especially grateful for the nutrition tips on how to ensure that all the nutritional needs are met.

Then, watching the "Meet Your Meat" video sealed the deal for me to commit to trying!

I have challenged some friends/family to do the Veggie Challenge and have even discovered a couple of friends who are vegetarian and I didn't even know. I found out when I mentioned that I was doing the Veggie Challenge to them (so I've discovered that I already have a couple of supportive vegetarian friends and I didn't even know it).

Thank you for all of your support and wonderful resources! I think that the Veggie Challenge idea is brilliant and I'm especially appreciative of how much my body is thanking me. I would recommend it to anyone!

– Margo, age 30-39, Barrie, ON

I decided to join a vegan club at the University of Toronto

Vegetarianism only started for me after the progression of a number of events. Before this year, I had known five people who were vegetarian yet I had not ever eaten with them. At the beginning of this year at the University of Toronto, there was a fair where you could join different clubs. There was a vegan club at the University of Toronto and I decided to join it. Ever since, I've been receiving emails from Hot Yam about a 4 dollar vegan lunch each Thursday and the variety of foods appeared very decadent to me.

Photo: three students enjoy stuffed peppers, garden salad, "groovy" grapes and Selamine baked squares (a tasty grainy dessert) outside of Hot Yam.

A new friend quite adores animals and she told me about how she volunteered at the animal shelter in the small animals section. Subsequently, I began to volunteer there every weekend with her. Simultaneously, another new friend at U of T was a vegetarian and a few times, I had eaten with her. She never talked about it, but the fact that she was vegetarian enforced the lingering idea even more in my mind.

I started to research it and discovered how the animals are killed. Every time I began to eat meat, it felt like I was eating another human being because these animal had had a life similar to my life. As well, I found through research that it takes more energy to raise animals than only harvesting vegetables and fruits. Therefore, I was intrigued that it would help against global warming.

The health benefits astonished me – including a reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and many other good effects. As for protein and iron, I had believed that one could only get these nutrients from meat and I was shocked of the truth that many vegetables were packed with iron, protein, and other nutrients.

Regarding my challenges, it was difficult to live with others who are meat-eaters, but I believe that I have been steadily increasing my tolerance despite the familiar smells. My mindset has become stronger for being a vegetarian. With these healthier recipes, I cannot comprehend why I never before thought of the vegetarian option.

– Kelley, early 20's, Toronto

Converting my mother and sister

The Veggie Challange is/was not a challenge for me, more like a helpful guideline. I had already made my choice in wanting to be a healthy girl and the Challenge just helped motivate me.

I really enjoy being a vegetarian/vegan (getting there one step at a time) And I am proud to educate others on the unhealthy choices we all make and how we can all better ourselves and our environment with simple easy steps. I have converted my mother and sister which was much easier than I thought. I never expected my mom to give up meat but with one read of Skinny Bitch, she was a new woman and loves this new venture. Thank you Veggie Challenge for helping my family and I become healthier little ladies.

– Kelly, late 20's, Montreal

Beneficial, interesting, and not to mention FUN!

Taking the Veggie Challenge is something I think most people would find beneficial, interesting, and not to mention FUN! I tried new recipes I would not have otherwise been drawn to and even though I used to eat meat on a daily basis, I did not miss it at all during the Challenge. I think keeping an attitude of open mindedness, willingness to try things out of your comfort zone, and having fun with a personal challenge for your own health are the keys to success!

– Carrie, late 20's, Alamo, CA

Empowerment

The Veggie Challenge, for me, was about empowerment. When I went to the grocery store or perused a menu, I did not feel overwhelmed but instead took control. In addition to feeling more comfortable in my clothes (as well as my own skin!) I am empowered by the knowledge that I have invested in my own health. It was an easy change – mostly because I started seeing the great results immediately, which fueled for further change. I suspect it will not be long until I am vegan. Knowing that my diet is compassionate towards all creatures is the icing on the proverbial vegan cake!

Besides the occasional and unavoidable taunting smell of bacon, I have no regrets and do not see myself ever going back. There are too many benefits, and absolutely no disadvantages of being a vegetarianism. Thank you for all of your support.

– Julia, early 20's, Toronto

Changing our seemingly meat-focused diet

I became interested in taking the Veggie Challenge after enjoying vegetarian cuisine for a week at a retreat center. I enrolled my girlfriend in the idea of taking the Challenge – she had previously indicated an interest in changing our seemingly meat-focused diet. We dusted off our juicer, filled our fridge with veggies and fruit and began the journey. It was an interesting week. Even though we struggled at times to keep our menu varied (we did not try any of the recipes offered in your daily emails) we did enjoy the experience and felt healthier as a result. On the sixth day we ended up eating a little meat with our dinner and have continued to include some meat products in our diets. The good news is that we do not eat meat everyday and when we do it is a lot less than before. We would like to continue to explore the possibility of fully integrating a vegetarian diet into our lifestyle. We aspire to radiate health in all aspects of our lives and we intrinsically know that embracing alternative food choices will be an important part of this process.

– James, age 40-49, Woodbridge, ON

The Challenge helped me "make it official"

My Veggie Challenge went great, I had already begun the transition before I signed up, but, the Challenge helped me "make it official". Cooking has been easy and my body feels so much better than I imagined. My friend (who is celebrating her 10th year as a vegetarian) and I found a wonderful vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Kingston, Ontario called "Lotus, heart, blossoms". Delicious! I have a whole new interest in food because of the Challenge. [Note: unfortunately this restaurant closed Aug 22, 2010.]

My family and friends have been amazingly supportive, over the past few years I've been leaning towards a vegetarian diet so the transition wasn't abrupt. I still get some offhand comments from the red-meat lovers in my family, but, they're always interested in what I'm cooking up.

– Millie, late 20's, Belleville, ON

My kids got the most out of the whole experience

It was my kids who got the most out of the whole experience. That week we found ourselves in a position where we had to eat out a number of times. It was our 6 year old who kept asking "are we still on the Challenge?" We only slipped up twice, both times when eating at someone else's home and they served fish. We even had an Indian chef come to our home and prepare us a full course vegetarian east Indian meal...very yummy indeed.

Thanks so much for giving us this wonderful idea!

– Lisa, age 40-49, Richmond Hill, ON

I was a definite omnivore but wanted to change

I had been thinking about my food choices for the last year or so; I was a definite omnivore before this Challenge but wanted to change. I am glad I came across this Challenge as it gave me the motivation and reasoning to go vegetarian. I have had unbelievable support from my family and boyfriend. He even cooked tofu stir fry for me and cooked his chicken separately. How sweet!

I am going to continue with the diet and go for 30 days!

Thanks for all the tips :D

– Jess W, late 20's, Fernie, BC

Let us reduce meat before it destroys us

Becoming a vegetarian I am happy that I have become caring and eco-friendly and not a "graveyard for animals" as George Barnard Shaw rightly put it. If everyone turned vegetarian there would be plenty of food for all and human beings would not starve. Our forest would still be there. Statutory warnings should be carried on meat advertisements and meat products etc – consumption of meat is injurious to health and humanity. Let us work to towards reducing the world's ever growing hunger for meat before it destroys us.

– Varun, age 40-49, Brampton, ON

Shaw was outspoken about his vegetarianism – over 100 years ago! 

George Bernard Shaw was often asked why he was a vegetarian
"Oh, come! That boot is on the other leg. Why should you call me to account for eating decently? If I battened on the scorched corpses of animals, you might well ask me why I did that." - The Vegetarian, 15 January 1898. Read more quotes.

The Challenge gave me the motivation to start

I loved the Challenge. It gave me a reason to finally go vegetarian. I've been wanting to for such a long time and this gave me the motivation to start. I'm definitely sticking with this lifestyle for a long time.

– Verity, teen, London, ON

Fantastic!

This Challenge is fantastic! Now I have a completely new outlook on food, and am ready to keep my vegetarian diet for a long long time.

– Yu, teen, Toronto

I found it is very helpful

I started to take to a vegetarian diet in March and felt good about my diet. Then I decided to join this Challenge – I just wanted to get more information about nutrition and I found it is very helpful. I forwarded the e-mail to some of my friends, which was very helpful for them since they are usually busy and don't have time to find a vegetarian restaurant when they are hungry.

– Abigail, early 20's, Toronto