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Slaughtered pig carcasses in Chinatown made it personal

The Veggie Challenge I completed a few days ago was not my first. I had actually done the Challenge a few years ago for fun but I didn't find it challenging, since I didn't eat much meat beyond chicken, fish and the occasional few slices of pepperoni on pizza. However, I continued to eat meat after the week was up because it was just easier that way. Being a university student (going into my second year) with a meal plan, it is even harder to be a vegetarian considering the limited menu that is offered in school cafeterias – you have to try everything they offer during the year in order to avoid going insane!

This time, the Veggie Challenge was personal. I started it on our family vacation. We were in Montreal and decided to spend a morning in Chinatown. Bored from exploring a Chinese gift shop, I sat outside on the curb with my brother and dad. Suddenly, a truck pulled up across the street, close to a grocery store. Three workers with red aprons hopped out and opened the back of the truck. Hearing an eerie thump coming from the truck, I suddenly saw a mutilated pig‘s head peaking out of the truck. The workers kept throwing pigs to the floor of the truck. Soon enough, I figured out that the pigs were dead, and taking a better look, I found that they were being taken down from metal hooks where they had been hanging by their hoofs. The slaughterers had cut the pigs down the middle, from the neck to the groin, and you could see their organs coming out.

The shopkeeper came out and seemed very pleased by the arrival of the pigs. The slaughterers threw the pigs over their shoulders and brought them into the grocery store. They brought in about 12 dead pigs. My dad, a photographer, took a picture. Other bystanders stopped to look and take pictures. But I was more shocked by the amount of people who didn't stop and look. They walked by as if they didn't care – as if this was normal.

I was disturbed by this experience and decided to become vegetarian that day, as long as my vegetarianism could last. Today is my twenty-second day as a vegetarian and I don‘t see myself quitting anytime soon.

– Genevieve, teen, Milton, ON

Being vegetarian has a lot of advantages

The Veggie Challenge opened my eyes to a whole new world... I had never known that so many veggie options existed. The strangest thing was I was living with so many fallacies like meat being the best protein source (yuk I even ate that. I am repenting the damage I have caused the environment already!)

On the day I signed up for the Veggie Challenge, I was just looking for some fun – something new to do. However I don't thing I'll be going back on meat ever!

Being vegetarian has a lot of advantages. It is basically not about only eating vegetables, its about giving up eating 'flesh' and all that comes from flesh. All you need is to be aware of the basic food groups, their veggie substitutes and how to incorporate them in your diet. Like you have pulses and spinach for protein which are good sources compared to animal protein. Carbohydrates come from bread and rice so no compromise there. Minerals and vitamins are already abundant in veggies and fruits. Animal fats are 'bad fats' so its not a big deal substituting them with good ones.

You need to be a good cook, to create interesting veggie dishes. Just last night as I was eating my cucumber sandwich with tomato soup, dad left his regular dinner and joined me.

Exercise portion control, get substitutes for salt and sugar, quit caffeine, switch to herbal tea. Be creative in exercising. And you'll rediscover you.

No matter what, you will never starve!!

I love you Veggie Challenge. Thank u so much! I have been updating my experience on my blog.

– Changing_woman, early 20's, Lahore, Pakistan,

I started this for myself but also to motivate my mom

I started this Challenge for myself but also to help motivate my mom. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. We both have been reading about how a diet high in animal protein is linked to cancer and wanted to see if we could go vegetarian. My dad is a "meat and potatoes" guy and makes it hard for her to cut down on animal products so I thought if we did this Challenge together it might help her transition. So far she is doing ok with the Challenge and I hope that she continues.

I am feeling much better on a vegetarian diet. One of the main challenges for me was getting creative with the recipes I have. Most vegetarian recipes use cheese/grains/beans. I have allergies to wheat and dairy and don't digest beans. I was glad to see that the recipes on your site didn't include a lot of dairy or wheat.

– Ashley, late 20's, Mount Hope, ON

Worm in my edamame

During my week I had lots of fun shopping in a new section of the grocery store that introduced me to great new foods to try! My friend and I both took the Challenge and went on shopping trips together to ensure we were making the correct choices and eating healthy for the week. It was lots of fun, and not as much of a challenge as I expected it to be. I live at home with my parents who are die hard meat and potato dinner lovers. I was unsure of how they would react to the news of my new found lifestyle, but surprisingly, they were totally fine and supported me throughout my week. I guess the only challenge that I faced was encountering a worm in my edamame after scarfing down almost the entire serving!! All in all, I had a wonderful week, I feel great, and I am excited to continue living the veggie lifestyle!! Thanks for the Challenge!!

– Ashley, early 20's, Lindsay, ON

Thinking outside of the box

This week started off kind of hard because I wasn't sure how to go about eating every meal without including meat or dairy. When I didn't include meat I had more dairy, which was not much healthier. I liked the recipes sent to me because they were basic and they left room for change and additions.

I went to school for cooking and learned traditional methods and techniques therefore it was hard for me to think outside of the box and come up with meal ideas that didn't include meat. I used to therefore be very biased and not really understand people who didn't eat meat and/or dairy.

I'm very happy I've taken this Challenge and have been telling more people about the information I've learned. I think it's also good for people who are already vegetarian or vegan because many of them do not necessarily eat healthy.

Anyway, thanks for the great tips and help. I will be taking advantage of this.

– Mo, early 20's, Toronto

It has been difficult but I have the will power to stick with it

I completed two weeks of being a vegetarian, I was unable to sign up when my friend did but I started with her. It has been difficult living with my grandparents and having my grandma bothering me to eat meat constantly as well as a strain on the budget with having to buy some alternatives. I made it through and I will continue to be a vegetarian. My boyfriend has been extremely supportive and he eats a lot of meat so that is nice to have him backing me up with healthy choices, however other family and friends have not been so helpful but I have the will power to make a healthy choice in my life and stick with it.

– Amanda, early 20's, Linsday, ON

The Veggie Challenge gave me the kick I needed

The prospect of becoming a vegetarian has always been exciting to me, and the Veggie Challenge gave me the kick I needed to become one.

The week was surprisingly easy for me, as before the Veggie Challenge I was already off red meat, and I don't like seafood. Being a non-vegetarian in the past has always left the door opened in restaurants and at people's places, and I found it interesting how I would occasionally forget that a chicken burger or fajitas were not in the cards. I would try and decide on a meal, I would chose chicken tacos for example, and then quickly remember the Veggie Challenge and my personal vow to becoming a vegetarian. This realization wasn't disappointing in the least! If anything, it was exciting and new, and then I would scan the menu for vegetarian options.

Thank you for helping me through my transition, I am thrilled to be an official vegetarian and I will continue to grow and learn about all of the aspects that this lifestyle entails.

– Chelsea, late 20's, Toronto

Back to our roots

This week was not as challenging as one might think. The recipes were easy and great. I also was able to experiment with old recipes, and changing them to work for a vegetarian meal. Everything I made seemed to work out great! Although my family still has a stigma against vegetarians, I think over time they will understand why this option is a healthy choice to make. It is eco-friendly and brings us back to our roots of a mainly vegetable diet.

– Becky, late 20's, Toronto

It was easy to cook without meat

I found that I made a great variety of interesting meals that were fun, healthy, filling, and colourful. It was easy to not have to cook with meat. I saved money by not buying meat and found that some of my favourite meals were just as good or better without meat. I will surely continue to be a vegetarian. My only major concern is about refusing to eat meat when a guest at someone's home for dinner, or at particular dinners (e.g. Thanksgiving)*. Otherwise, I am committed!

– Jonathan, early 20's, Toronto

* See our Surviving a holiday dinner page for suggestions on being invited to a home where meat is being served.

Going veggie made a positive impact on my Fibromyalgia

Getting the email reminders kept me focused on eating healthy despite being tempted at some of the festivals in town.

I took up healthy/vegetarian eating for health reasons as I have Fibromyalgia and I have found it has made a very positive impact. Especially the part about refusing to eat processed meats which are full of nitrates. Maybe all meats are hard to give up, but cold cuts should NEVER be considered a healthy choice.

– Adriana, late 20's, Toronto

Learning more about vegetarian cooking and nutrition

I have been vegetarian for two years now, but I participated in the Challenge to learn more about vegetarian cooking and nutrition.

I ended up learning that cabbage and celery are rich with antioxidants, which was a surprise. I always thought only sour berries like blueberry, or dark bitter chocolate, or red wine are rich with it.

I told my mother about this Challenge. She is not vegetarian yet, but is interested in healthier ways of eating and eventually in becoming vegetarian.

Thanks for the opportunity!

– Diana, late 20's, Toronto

Regaining control of my health

I decided to try a vegetarian diet to regain control of my health. It has now been over a month that I have not eaten meat. The hardest part of the Challenge was finding foods locally, as I live in a very small town.

Overall I enjoyed the daily health tips as they were informative.

– Danielle, early 20's, Midland, ON

Great information

The week went well, I discovered new foods and learned all about the benefits of going vegetarian. I think this is a great challenge and I have encouraged friends and family to take part! Thank you for all the great information.

– Rachael, early 20's, Ajax, ON

Looking for ideas for cutting down on dairy and eggs

Overall, the project has been helpful. I'm a long time vegetarian who hoped to gain ideas for cutting down on dairy and eggs without giving them up entirely. The Challenge gave me some good ideas to do so!

Keep up the good work!

– Andrea, late 20's, Bloomington, MN