Day one of my Veggie Challenge had me coming home to my roommates who had invited friends over, and were all cooking steaks on the BBQ. After 23 years of eating meat, my mouth started to water and my insides panged with that familiar craving. It IS BBQ season after all...

But I stuck to my gut and opted for salad and a slice of pizza instead. Throughout the week I found it difficult to go out with friends and explain to them that I was "doing the vegetarian thing" for a week. We went to sushi, and street meat, and more BBQs... it was difficult. People tried to argue with me and tell me I was making a stupid choice, that people had been eating meat for thousands of years etc etc... that on top of the fact that I still seriously craved these meaty meals. I wanted the polish sausage! My mouth watered at the shrimp!

After a week of going full-veg (I wasn't fully veg before this; I had been making veg choices, but still had the odd hamburger here and there) I felt great. I had energy, didn't crave as much junk food, and realized that even though the smell of meat may make my stomach tighten, in the end it all comes back to compassion. Compassion for the animals and the Earth, and not wanting to put suffering and torture into my body.

I now consider myself a vegetarian (it's been about a week since the official challenge ended) and it's interesting. I never thought I'd feel this way or want to change my eating habits this much. Sometimes when I'm out I have to remind myself that I'm not going to order the chicken, and other times I get frustrated or discouraged when certain restaurants can't even prepare decent tofu. In the end though, think of the benefits! I feel great, look great, have ridiculous energy, and now I actually crave carrots instead of brownies. Imagine that.

I think the Veggie Challenge is an excellent thing, and have strongly encouraged my friends to give it a try. Even if just for that one week, they'll know that they're saving a lot more than just the price of a $2 hot dog... they're saving lives and saving the Earth, and ultimately that's the best karma one can get.

– Jenny, early 20's, Toronto