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Here are 9 stories from teens and 20's who did the Veggie Challenge in Jan/Feb 2009.

I have been struggling to recover from an eating disorder

I have been struggling to recover from an eating disorder for about 4 years now. I finally realized that I wanted to make this a thing of the past for good. I really wanted to get HEALTHY. During my eating disorder years (age 14-21) I've always thought about going vegetarian, but I was never sure how others would see that, if they would simply view it as a means to lose more weight or avoid food. Through the Veggie Challenge I see that you don't necessarily have to do either. Eating vegetarian shouldn't restrict what you eat ever, there are so many options out there! The website explains how to make complete proteins and I am confident that I am now healthier than I have ever been in my adult life. The food I prepare is delicious and I don't feel guilty when I eat. I will definitely be continuing with a healthy vegetarian diet.

– Heather, early 20's, Toronto

I was challenged by some hippie friends

I decided to become a vegetarian as my New Years resolution, after I was challenged by some hippie friends. At first I had no intention of continuing it for the rest of my life but merely to try it out for a while. After reading so much about the mistreatment of farm animals, the sheer amount of resources we allocate for raising these animals and the dietary benefits of switching to vegetarianism, I feel that I will continue to be a vegetarian for the rest of my life.

I've only cut out meat for about two weeks at this point, but I already feel more energetic, I'm getting more sleep, my skin is clearing up and I haven't had heartburn at all, which I used to get frequently. I don't even miss it! I used to hate cooking as well, but vegetarian recipes are so easy and flavourful that I really enjoy myself now. I don't have to worry about salmonella and I've become a lot more creative with spices and mixing different things I wouldn't have thought of before. My new favourite snack is grilled cheese made with old cheddar and sliced tomato. Yum.

My family owns a health food store and they've been very supportive. My grandma even sent me vegetarian formula vitamins!

I couldn't be happier with this life change, thank you so much for teaching me so many things to make this change possible.

– Chelsea, teen, Mississauga, ON

Already after one week, I feel fantastic

I was a vegetarian for 10 years, but then I decided to start introducing meat back into my diet 3 years ago. Since then, I've gained weight and I have felt unhealthy. I wanted to make a positive change for my health and do what I can to prevent chronic diseases (I have a family history of heart disease and type 2 diabetes). For this Challenge, I followed a vegan diet. Already after one week, I feel fantastic and I plan to continue. Thanks for the motivating e-mails – I looked forward to them each day.

– Raquel, late 20's, Regina, SK

I used to love my meat in all shapes and forms

Well, my friends seem to be having a hard time dealing with me becoming veg. I used to love my meat in all shapes and forms, but I've come to realize some of the health concerns that go along with eating meat, as well as the environmental ones. Lets face it, in today's world it just doesn't make sense to feed a cow 9 lbs of corn to get 1 lbs of meat... no matter how tasty it may be.

I now own a dehydrator and love making raw foods that are totally amazing!!!

– Andrew, late 20's, Toronto

I was diagnosed with cancer

I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma a little while ago, I went through chemo (all the while on an "eat whatever I want" diet, including meat). Once I finished the treatment I had some tests done and the doctors couldn't tell me definitively whether or not I was cancer-free. About a month and a half after chemo was over I began getting some symptoms again that I had before I was diagnosed. After some research I decided to go mostly-vegan, I try not to have any dairy but I will still eat things that say they may contain milk ingredients... I stumbled across The Veggie Challenge and though it looked like an excellent idea so I signed up. It was very helpful to me for information as well as a lot of recipes that will supply me with everything my body needs to stay healthy. Thank you for the emails, it was very much appreciated.

– Roz, teen, Pickering, ON

This Challenge helped me get back on my feet

I decided to go vegetarian half a year ago for health and moral reasons. I found it extremely easy to adapt to a vegetarian diet at the start. About 4 months through, I began not taking my choice seriously and tried a piece of chicken to "fit in with the crowd". After that one piece of chicken, I felt completely disappointed with myself and my personal choice. I felt like I had failed myself. After this, I made a promise to myself that I will stick to being vegetarian, and mostly vegan. Having a high lactose intolerance makes it quite easy to eliminate dairy.

This Challenge helped me get back on my feet and look deep inside of myself to realize why I had made the choices that I have made. I am now proud of myself for sticking through with my beliefs and am happy to have organizations like the Toronto Vegetarian Association to help me through and guide me along the way on my personal transformation this year.

– Melinda, early 20's, Toronto

I have always wished I didn't love meat so much

It was honestly not easy, especially considering how I love meat. It tastes really, really good :( but I have always wished I didn't love it so much. One night we went to this 'wikkid' restaurant where six other people, aside from my sister and I, all ordered meat dishes that smelled divine. I was ready to give in but I couldn't. The reason I actually started this was because I want to be healthier, and have more energy, and be forced to eat more veggies and fruits. I noticed that when I stopped eating meat, it inspired me to stop eating a lot of genetically modified stuff. So this was really interesting. And I very much enjoyed the recipes that were included, even though I didn't exactly use them... YET. :)

– Yumna, teen, Mississauga, ON

I didn't want to crave meat 24/7

In the beginning I thought I wouldn't really go through this. But instead I stood up to it because I didn't want to go and eat meat like a maniac and crave for it 24/7, I just thought of reasons why I don't eat meat. I watched this weird video, and I went official.

It got pretty easy on day 2. :) So now I'm officially a vegetarian, and better yet: I'm a vegan. So now,

its my thoughts and I don't want the thought of eating meat. Love,

– Lakeisha, teen, Ucluelet, BC

Note: She may be referring to Chew on This – A short 3 1/2 minute video that highlights many of the reasons to choose a compassionate, plant-based diet.

"Vegetarianism not only spares billions of animals from horrific suffering, but also spares your waistline. Simply put, meat and dairy products can make you fat, cause heart disease, put a major damper on your sex life, and destroy the environment."

The week was super fantastic

The week was super fantastic. It would have been better if I had a vegetarian cookbook. I feel more aware and have more energy because I am eating healthier options.

– Krysta, early 20's, Ottawa