I had never thought I'd be able to eat this way, but it turned out to be easy for me. I guess my body was just ready. The first couple of weeks were difficult; my body went into detox, and I got congested and sick. This is natural, however, and my body felt so much cleaner once the toxins were out of my system. When our bodies work properly, we're more alert, energetic and healthy looking and feeling.

Has anyone criticized your diet?
People have said that I can't possibly be getting enough calcium or that I must be lacking in certain B vitamins. But my friends had no problem with it, since many of them are vegetarian. My dietitian sister was concerned for a while, but she sees I'm healthy. Other family members may have seen this diet as a big pain in their butts because they had to figure out what to cook for me when I was there for dinner!

Has the diet changed the way your body feels?
The best thing is how clean my body feels. Initially, I did have more energy, but my life is such that I still get tired at times, mostly from lack of sleep. I have stopped having menstrual cramps, and my periods are much lighter than when I was eating meat. And I don't get colds anymore. The only times I've gotten congested since I've been vegan have been when I've broken the diet and eaten too much milk chocolate!

What can't you eat? Do you ever feel deprived?
There are so many substitutes for meat out there that I never really miss it. I missed cheese for a while but don't at all anymore ‑- and there are vegan cheese products. I was a big fan of ice cream, but I enjoy soy ice cream now, and fortified rice milk eliminates any cravings for milk. I have to say I do eat chocolate, which sometimes contains milk. I like sweets, so it's been difficult to give up.