We are almost at the end of this challenge, and I must say I feel like this is something I can keep up with after the challenge is over. I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve struggled or felt like there’s no point in continuing, however, conversations with others make me realise how important what I’m doing is. the other day at work I met someone who was a vegetarian – I asked them why – they said it was purely for environmental reasons. We went on to chat away for the entire 30-minute break, sharing ideas and opinions, and advice. Moments like these make me realise that making lifestyle changes, no matter how big or small, can make you feel better about yourself and bring you closer to others, and if not anything else, spark an interesting conversation.

My point: continuing being a vegetarian after the challenge. It is entirely possible, the real question is: am I willing? in all honesty, the answer is a half-hearted yes. I can see myself making excuses and not holding myself accountable, especially with the challenge aspect of it gone, but I think its something i’d like to try. Even cutting out meat a couple days a week is better than nothing. One habit that I have picked up and don’t see going away: I have managed to completely replace my milk intake with oat milk! Every single coffee or tea or bowl of porridge I have is plant-based. At this point I don’t even notice it, and it tastes so much better.

We’re over halfway through the challenge! Congratulations to everyone who has stuck through!

The further I make it through this challenge, the more I think I should stick to it past the finishing date – even for a few days a week. It’s not that difficult and I have found it quite fun at times experimenting with meals and different sources of protein. 

I had a bit of a slip-up this week. On Tuesday I forgot to bring my pre-made lunch to work, so I went to the shops to buy a sandwich, and of course: no vegetarian options. Every single sandwich I saw had chicken or bacon or pork or beef or ham. Annoyed, I left the shop and went to a different one. Same situation there. I was already running late, so I just grabbed some chicken & pesto pasta and left. I did feel guilty afterward, but at the same time, it was quite eye-opening. The one slip-up I have wasn’t even because I WANTED meat, it was because of the lack of vegetarian options made available. This brings me to the systems we have in place. Almost everywhere caters to meat-inclusive diets, and vegetarian options, if available, are usually quite plain (in my opinion). 

I think it should be made more socially acceptable to eat plant based meals. If the vegetarian diet was practiced more commonly it would be so much easier to make that shift, however i feel that society is quite restrictive at the moment.

Hello again, 

It’s week 2 of the sustainability challenge and, I must say, I’ve been getting on a lot better than anticipated. Vegetarian food is delicious when you know what to eat, how to cook it etc. I’ve been living off online recipes as I’m not much of a chef myself. Today I made myself a one-pot spinach & chickpea curry, which i ate with some rice. Spinach is honestly so great for anyone else trying out the vegetarian lifestyle – it’s full of iron and vitamins which can be difficult to incorporate into a meat-free diet. This is especially important because as I mentioned last week, I have tried and tested the vegetarian lifestyle before, but lacked the nutrients in my diet to continue. 

The recipe was pretty simple – I cooked diced onion in curry powder, added a tin of chopped tomatoes & let that simmer for a while. Then I put in two tins of chickpeas, seasoned with some more curry, garlic, and a bit of chilli, and added the spinach. It’s a basic recipe but if you decide to try it I’d recommend getting creative – I’m just not good enough of a chef to go off script yet!

Hi all,

For my challenge, I have decided to be vegetarian during the weekdays. I have a bit of experience here as previously I was a vegetarian for three years. I quit because I found I wasn’t getting enough of the right nutrients and began to notice changes in my energy levels – after a doctor’s trip I was labeled anemic. This time, however, I’m being more careful with what I put in my meals and ensuring that my body gets all the nutrients needed. 

So far, I’ve received incredible support from my mother – she has brought me on shopping trips and helped me pick out all the foods I need to maintain a sustainable vegetarian diet. We’re a few days in and I’m feeling great – I’ve made some delicious meals for myself and it feels so good to be a part of such an amazing group! Good luck to everyone participating and I’m excited for our journey ahead!