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Here are 8 stories from people who did the Veggie Challenge in Nov/Dec 2009.

When we treat animals with such disrespect, we transfer that disrespect to all people

I started the Veggie Challenge with great aspiration and excitement. I wasn't alone either, I got two other people to do the Challenge with me. I am all too well aware of the issues surrounding meat production and its effects on the environment and society. We allowed the fast food industry to consume the very process of meat distribution with very little compassion for anything other than profit. I feel great knowing that I don't have to rely on that industry let alone contribute to it.

Until the majority realize the aftereffects of meat factories and consumption, until we free the animals from the never ending holocaust we put them in, our social problems will never go away. Because when we treat animals with such disrespect, we transfer that disrespect towards all people.

Caged pigs from by toner's Flikr stream. Creative Commons.

Not consuming and not contributing to this profit driven machine, I feel that I am finally the person I was meant to be. Thank you very much for all the information and support. Keep it up and hopefully sooner than later, the small changes will contribute to the big change we are all looking for.

I'm sure you would like to hear all the wonderful foods I ate and how I ate them, how your challenge provided me with fascinating information, how wonderful one feels when eating healthy vegetarian foods. but, sometimes I think its all much too simple. It all comes down to... STOP, THINK, THINK AGAIN. THEN THINK SOME MORE, because the more time we take to actually assess our surroundings, less time is left over for stupid, irrational and selfish decisions.

Thank You. Keep Up The Amazing work.

– Eddie, early 20's, Toronto

Introducing more vegetarian meals to my family

I've been semi-vegetarian (I still eat fish) for 2 years but still have trouble feeling confident that I am meeting my nutritional needs.* The Challenge provided me with great recipes and really helped me find ways to include the vitamins, minerals, and protein I need.

My husband and young son are not vegetarians so cooking for the family has been a challenge; however, I feel good that they are being introduced to a greater variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. They eat 3-4 meatless dinners each week and I know they are healthier for it.

– Susan, age 50-64, Burlington, ON

* Be sure to check out our vegetarian nutrition page.

I love every minute of changing my life

I found this Challenge life changing. I will never look back to my meat-eating ways. Mostly I found people's reactions most difficult. Having to explain myself and listen to all the nay sayers about nutrition and lack of iron. Society is very closed off to vegetarianism and I found that in the beginning that clouded my judgment and thoughts. I plowed through and kept on moving forward and was able to stick it out perfectly. I am now moving into becoming a vegan and love every minute of changing my life. It's wonderful and my body thanks me everyday.

– Lee, age 30-39, Brampton, ON

Meat-free since mid November

Your site is very inspiring. So much so my wife and I who are in our late sixties/early seventies, are virtually meat-free since mid November, and will continue to do so. We were also inspired by the following documentaries, Food Inc and Earthlings*.

Also three books, Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet, The Face on your plate, and Eating Animals contributed greatly to our decision abstain from animal products.

Hudson, Quebec, where we live is a small, still rural town about an hour from Montreal. We were the first town to initiate a pesticide ban in Canada, fighting all the way to Canada's Supreme Court. And this story is told in the 2009 documentary entitled "A Chemical Reaction" by Brett Plymale.

Keep up your fine work. And thank you for your help. Cheers and All our Best!

– Eryk, age 65+, Hudson, QC

*[Earthlings is available at our Toronto Resource Centre for sale or for loan.] 

I have wanted to try eating vegetarian but lacked meal ideas

I have wanted to try eating vegetarian for some time but didn't have enough ideas for meals through the week. After doing some research, getting vegetarian library cookbooks and with the help of your website, I was able to compile some recipes that I thought I'd enjoy. I also had to take my adult son into consideration. I made a delicious minestrone soup on Sunday and froze small portions to take to work for lunch. I also tried a bean burger. Much to my surprise, my son actually liked it!

– Wanda, age 45-64, Mississauga, ON

My parents weren't thrilled, but they got over it and I got over meat!

It wasn't as hard as I thought. After a few days it became pretty normal. The only difficulty was convincing my parents, they're meat-eaters and not that thrilled with my decision. But they got over it and I got over meat!

– Julie, teen, Calgary, AL

I found so many great vegetarian options

It's easier than I thought, I found so many great vegetarian options near my apartment and school, that taste just as great, but take away all the guilt of eating meat.

– Kristen, early 20's, Waterloo, ON

Just what I needed to kick-start my desire to go veg!

This Challenge was just what I needed to kick-start my desire to go veg! I have been thinking about going veg for awhile now, but have little support to do so. Making the transition was easier than I thought, and my husband barely noticed that I was cooking only vegetarian meals this week :)

I am looking forward to continuing my transition to a mostly vegan diet in the medium-term future.

– Laurie, age 30-44, Toronto