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Here are ten stories from people who did the Veggie Challenge in May/June 2009.

I decided to take the level up a notch by going vegan

The Veggie Challenge was only for a short while, but I can honestly say I learned a lifetime's worth of advice on healthy living. I had been vegetarian before, but only for 3 months, and then I became a meat-eater again. That was because I had been misinformed of the fact the meat and animal products were a necessity for my "survival."

Upon taking the Veggie Challenge, I was introduced to a wealth of knowledge that changed my perspective on the ethical, health and animal treatment aspects of leading a vegetarian diet. I was so inspired by taking the Veggie Challenge, that I decided to take out a couple of great vegetarian cookbooks from my local library. Taking the jump from omnivore to herbivore was easy for me, so I decided to take the level up a notch by going vegan. To my surprise, I wasn't missing out on any foods I thought I would be missing, such as my all-time favourites, brownies. But today marking the last day of the Veggie Challenge, I whipped up a batch of the most delectable brownies I have ever tasted...and they were vegan!

Throughout this whole week, my taste buds have been tantalized by some amazing veggie cuisine I received in the daily e-mails, as well as some of my own experiments. In addition, my hair is shinier, my skin is smoother and I feel so much more energetic (must be all the fruits and veggies)! I'm ecstatic about this new lifestyle, and I am so glad the Veggie Challenge helped me realize I was meant to be a vegetarian. I may only be in Grade 9, but I have a lifetime left to bask in the benefits of being a vegetarian. Thanks a lot TVA, your Veggie Challenge has affected my life in the best way possible!

– Jona, teen, Toronto

I used to think that a vegetarian diet lacked choice. Was I ever wrong!

This was a great experience that proved to be really educational. I used to think that there wasn't much choice in a vegetarian diet. Was I ever wrong! The options are endless and I really don't miss meat at all. I found I was always tired after eating a meal with meat, so I started eating less meat. I find the alternatives better and I really enjoy looking for new recipes to try without meat. I even enjoy vegan meals and I find myself looking at more vegan cookbooks when I'm looking for new meals to prepare – they are so easy and have fueled my passion to learn to cook.

My favourite meal is the vegan pancakes garnished with various berries. I honestly didn't know before that bananas can be a substitute for eggs. I truly learned a lot. [Note: See our breakfast page for a simple and delicious vegan pancake recipe.]

Earlier this week I went to a restaurant with co-workers and they admitted that they could never live without meat. I told them I used to feel that way before, but now that I have armed myself with so much knowledge about alternative eating, I found that I was able to defend the vegetarian diet better and educate them about the new alternatives I discovered. Thanks so much for opening my eyes!!!

– Michelle, age 30-44, Toronto

If I keep feeling as well as I have this week it won't be difficult to stick to it

I became interested in vegetarianism several years ago but found it difficult to stick to because I thought I needed a lot more protein than I do (which I've since found out from the information provided in the Veggie Challenge emails). Also I got sick of eating beans and lentils! I still don't care much for the fake "meats" – the texture is just not the same – but maybe I'll find one I like eventually! I do eat more tofu and although I thought it was causing me gastric distress I've discovered since I've eliminated meat for a period of time it doesn't seem to be bothering me anymore.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I got an added bonus, my irritable bowel symptoms virtually cleared up! So far so good. If I keep feeling as well as I have this week it won't be difficult to stick to it.

Although I've always been concerned with the way animals are raised for food and treated, I was mostly inspired this time by the posters in the subway with the dog and the pig asking why we would treat one animal as a pet and eat the other when they are so similar in their behaviours. It made me see it differently and helped motivate me even more.

Thanks for all the support and the terrific recipes!

– Linda, age 45-64, Toronto

I plan to stop buying meat and see how that goes

I have been cooking for vegetarians and a vegan for a long time, but some members of my family are meat-eaters. In the past, I ate a bit of everything, but I have been an almost-vegetarian for a long time. Taking the Challenge was easy and I went for over two weeks without eating meat, but then I decided that I would slowly eat through the meat products in my kitchen until they are all gone. I plan to stop buying meat and see how that goes. I am not sure how I will be able to entertain meat-eaters. That will be difficult.

The hardest part of being a vegetarian (or vegan) is "other people." The nicest people become defensive. They seem to take it as a criticism of their food choices. I find that you have to be a subversive. The primary reason for my becoming vegetarian is animal cruelty: industrial factory meat and poultry farms.

BTW a big shout out to Marcella. The Challenge web support was excellent. I just wish I had access to the Toronto resources. All the best, Lucille (Andrea's Mom!)

– Lucille, age 65+, Lakefield, ON

I feel better than I have in years

I took on this Challenge not really expecting it to go anywhere, but once I started I found I was empowered to make better choices for myself and the environment. I feel better than I have in years, my digestion has improved and I have more energy. I found cooking for myself quite easy, but I know I will have a lot more to face once the holiday season rolls around. Hopefully I will be able to use the resources that I have found doing this Challenge to get though the tough patches. Overall this was a positive experience and I would recommend it to friends and family.

– Teresa, early 20's, Toronto

Going veggie in small town Alaska

The 'challenge' week was easier than I thought it would be. I have always loved veggies, so most of the meals I usually make are rich in vegetables already. I think the hardest 'daily' change was: What's for LUNCH! I don't have much time to cook or prepare lunch so I needed something easy, filling and fast. I am still working to find another easy substitute, but so far I've had baked potatoes, soups and frozen lasagna (I made a full spinach lasagna at the start of the week and froze it in individual portions for easy re-heating). I tried a few new recipes that were very tasty but there are no 'health' stores in my city (or the nearest one to me) so I have very few 'substitute' options available to me. I have tried veggie burgers and a package of veggie 'ground beef' but the ones I have tried were not tasty at all, so I'll have to keep searching or drive into Anchorage to expand my options.

I had a weak moment while cooking ground beef and meatballs for my boyfriend on spaghetti night, but I was able to ignore it and I haven't really had any other urges to eat meat, so far. Over the weekend, I was challenged at a BBQ as there was nothing for me to eat. They had some chips that I was able to munch on (and ice cream and cake) but that was all, so I spent the day hungry. I'll come prepared next time! Overall, I feel this is something I can keep up and I feel this is a good, healthy change for the better.

Maybe one day I'll even get my "Steak-or-hamburger-every-single-day" boyfriend to try the Challenge.

– Patty, late 20's, Houston, AK

I went vegetarian after I saw a video in class

I started a vegetarian diet after I saw a video in class how the animals are really tortured. I was even crying with some of my other classmates. As soon as the video was over, me and one of my friends decided we were not going to eat meat. At the beginning it was very difficult because at home my mom usually cooks every meal with meat in it, but I found other foods that don't include meat. As soon as I started, I felt better, not only about myself, but the animals also. One of the many challenges I faced was choosing what to eat when I went to fast food restaurants. Seeing all the hamburgers really made me want to give in but I didn't. I was strong about it and instead I just had fries and a juice. One of my motivations was one of my tutors from school. He's a vegetarian too. He gave me a lot of tips.

– Elsa, teen, Montclair, USA

This all started when I began dating a vegan

For me this all started when I began dating a vegan. I was an omnivore at the time. I had never had anything against eating veggie... and ate that way when I was with her.

As she told me about her diet, and exposed the myths I once believed, I found it would be easier and healthier than I had previously thought. With your help and her support the transition has been quite easy!

– Richard, late 20's, Toronto

Thinking about going vegan

Although I have been vegetarian for about 2 years and a few months, I wanted to do this Challenge to learn as much as I can about vegetarianism. I was thinking about going vegan. But this Challenge did educate me more about nutrition and taught me many recipe I would try out. Thank you for taking the time to read this and also to create this wonderful challenge that would change a persons life completely. :)

– Helen, teen, Brampton, ON

I did it with a buddy, and it was simple

Taking on the Veggie Challenge I was not sure what to expect, but I did it with a buddy, and it was simple. I had some mishaps, but I remembered why I was taking the Challenge and continued on. It was a good experience and eventually I would like to transition to a complete vegan diet.

– Monica, early 20's, St. Catharines, ON