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Here are 11 more stories from people who did the Veggie Challenge in July/Aug 2009.

This was the best decision I have ever made

I have been struggling with my weight and my health my entire life, changing from one diet to another and watching my weight bounce up and down erratically. At my last doctor's visit, my blood pressure was very high and I was dangerously close to having diabetic issues as my sugar levels were sky high. I knew I had to change my eating habits and start living a healthy lifestyle or I would be in for a very difficult time. After researching many different eating options, I came across your vegetarian challenge and thought I would try it.

I started out just vegetarian, and slowly cut out all animal products from my diet so I was eating completely vegan, then went on to eat gluten free, and approx 80% raw. I have been doing this now for about 6 weeks, and I have decided to make it my life. I am loving it so much. I do not miss eating meat, there are so many alternative options out there that I never knew existed. I had my blood pressure checked and it is bang on perfect again. My sugar levels are normal. My hair and my nails are growing like weeds and I am losing weight and actually exercising again. This was the best decision I have ever made and I will never go back to eating animal products.

My first huge test was meeting up for a family reunion this summer. I come from an Italian background and out diet consists of meat, cheeses, starches. all the stuff I'm staying away from. SO, I brought a small cooler with my own food! It was really interesting to see how different people react to this lifestyle. Some people wanted to try everything I made and loved it, others actually seemed offended and thought I had problems for eating this way. They tried to convince me that it's not healthy and the I was hurting myself by cutting out meat products from my diet. I just told them that I'm a grown woman who doesn't tell them what to eat, so they can just mind their own business because in the long run, I'm still the same person – just MUCH healthier! :-)

– Maria, age 30-44, Brampton, ON

Veggie at the cottage

I started this Challenge a few days before going to the family cottage for a week. I was concerned about organizing vegetarian foods while the rest of my extended family would be busy BBQing meat as the foundation for ALL the evening meals. As it turned out it was easy, thanks to a friend of the family who happened to be at the cottage too. She showed me how easy it was to throw together a bean salad to accompany the grilled veggies and potatoes that the others were having with their meat. A big tub of hummus and red pepper dip in the fridge and cans of lentil soup and rice and beans made the transition easy. Bringing nuts and nut butters made lunches a snap.

The best part was how quickly I could add my veggie options to the evening meal (less time in the kitchen for me and more time on the dock). The others even sampled some of my veggie fare. Incidentally, I saved a lot of money from not purchasing steaks, chicken and chops. I had money left over and indulged in lots of local berries – yum.

– Sue, age 30-44, Toronto

Concerned about the cruel treatment of animals

I have always loved animals, but never really made the connection between their treatment when raised for food and what I consumed. Then, one day I came to an intersection and pulled up beside a truck filled to brimming with cows going on their final journey. They looked so helpless and sad. I swore off beef immediately. A week later the same event took place but this time I found myself next to a truck of equally sad pigs. I swore off pork and began to research the issue of animals raised for food. My research has me, not completely I have to admit, not eating poultry.

Any friends with whom I have shared my desire to eat a plant-based diet have been very supportive particularly upon learning that my reasons are based on concerns for the cruel treatment of animals.

I now want to actively influence public policy and obtain disclosure from farms on how their animals are treated.

– carl, age 45-64, Toronto

Doing it for my husband's health as well as mine

I have been trying to at least alternate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals for about a year now, for my husband's health as well as mine. I saw the movie Food Inc and was sickened by what I saw on the treatment of these animals. My granddaughter has become vegetarian and over the past year and a half has enjoyed better health overall. I look forward to feeling better by going vegetarian. Thank you for the Veggie Challenge to help me on the way to eating healthier.

– Millie, age 65+, Bowmanville, ON

If it wasn't for the meal planning and recipes, I would of been a goner

While trying the first week out it was very difficult. I love chicken and to find alternative ways to not eat meat was very difficult for me. If it wasn't for the meal planning and recipes, I would of been a goner. I want to continue to eat healthy so I am going to continue this avenue in my life. Thank you

– Rena, age 30-44, Scarborough, ON

Inspired by Dr Neal Barnard

I started this 7 day challenge into the 2nd week of my vegan experience inspired by Dr. Neal Barnard. He encourages readers to try eating vegan for 3 weeks so this was certainly helpful to get me to my 3rd week.*

– Philip, age 45-64, Toronto

* From Dr. Barnard's FAQ page:
"It takes about three weeks to get over a food craving. If you follow a very-low-fat menu, your tastes will gradually drift to prefer lower-fat foods. It helps to stock up on healthful foods at home and at work to prevent hunger-induced indiscretions, and avoid keeping unhealthful foods in the house." He also writes elsewhere: "your taste buds have a memory of about three weeks."

Fish is the only thing I need to give up

This week went well. I only ate fish once... woo hooo. Fish is the only thing I need to give up to become a complete vegetarian. The recipes were great. I checked out the other links and tried the chickpea and spinach. It turned out good. Also I tried making vegan peanut butter cookies, but spelt flour makes them a bit heavy, but still good.

– Mennethe, age 30-44, Ajax, ON

It all started this summer for me and my family

It's funny how it all started this summer for me and my family. It just seemed that a sequence of events would change our lifestyles forever. Our decision to change encompassed a number of reasons: healthy body/mind/spirit, love for animals, environmentally sane choices.

As we were making the changes, it seems that the resources we needed were right in front of us. I can't say we really struggled with 'what are we going to eat'. We have a large vegetable garden, so the timing was perfect.

Thank you for all the useful tips and recipes – we found them very useful in making us more 'green'!

– Rachelle and family, age 30-44, Oshawa, ON

Motivation and recipes

I am always looking for new recipes to try. I joined the Challenge for motivation and recipes. I loved receiving the recipes and tips daily. I use the web site and find it very helpful. I attended the Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto over the weekend and truly enjoyed it.

Thanks for providing a wonderful service!

– Linda Bell, age 45-64, Toronto

I will try hard

Almost all the meals I had at home. I prepared all my own meals. Some ingredients were difficult to get. My family and friends were not involved in my taking the Challenge and didn't have any opinion on a vegetarian diet. They appreciated my involvement and were supportive. I cannot say that it was an easy week but I pulled through. How long I would continue to be a vegetarian I cannot say but I will try hard. All the ideas of a vegetarian diet are good but putting it in practice is not easy.

– DrCoom, age 65+, Scarborough, ON

I am still trying to work out some meals

I had gone to see Food Inc at the movies and that got me started on the way, so I went to the Vegetarian Food Fair in Whitby which was a great help. I am still trying to work out some meals – mainly putting some of the ingredients together, but am open to trying new ways of preparing dishes that have items that I am not used to. I am so pleased when they turn out and have opened up a new dish for me. Thanks for your help.

– Gwen, age 65+, Oshawa, ON