I have exciting news to announce — the winner of the How It All Vegan cookbook giveaway! But first, I wanted to share how I became vegetarian since so many of you took the time to contribute your stories.

I grew up as an omnivore but as I got older, eating meat became less appealing to me. I would refuse to eat a hamburger unless it was very well done with no pink inside. I had no interest in eating steak, pork chops, things like that. About the only meat I would eat was chicken or turkey… and even then, finding a vein inside my chicken breast always grossed me out. The idea of vegetarianism began to creep into my mind yet I knew it would be difficult to accomplish while living under my parents’ roof.

It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I made the decision to become vegetarian. It was a time in my life when a lot of changes were taking place. I was newly single after a long relationship. I was living on my own for the first time. I was discovering new hobbies like hiking in the mountains and volunteering for my local animal shelter. Adding in a change of diet at that point in my life just seemed right. I had always been an animal lover and it was finally a good time in my life to explore ways to be more compassionate toward them.

However, it took me a lot longer to realize how messed up our current food system is… not just in how it treats the animals, but how it treats the people, too. The more and more I read, the more I knew that eating a vegetarian diet wasn’t good enough. To eat a vegan diet was the ultimate goal.

Still, I found it hard to stick to… because I love cheese. Earlier this year though, I attended a guest lecture by a local vegan and animal rights activist. He was an awesome motivational speaker but what really got to me was the 3-4 minute video he showed during his presentation. Normally, I steer clear of animal cruelty videos because they upset me so much. Even non-visuals like reading the details in John Robbins’ Diet for a New America make me tear up. During the lecture, I purposely tried to focus my glance on the wall next to the projection but my peripheral vision glimpsed all I needed. I came home from work that evening and told my husband I wanted to go vegan.

The declaration that I wanted to be vegan didn’t go over so well initially and it still has the possibility, I believe, to cause friction in my relationships, not only with my husband but with my friends and family, too. Therefore, it’s going to be a gradual process for me. It’s a journey that’s going to take longer than the instant gratification I’d like to receive. And that’s OK, for me.

I know a lot of people switch immediately, but I’m not on this journey alone. My omnivorous husband is right there by my side.  He’s learning and growing with me. He warmed to the idea of vegetarianism. In time, I believe he’ll warm to the idea of my vegan diet, as well. In fact, he’s already pimping my vegan “egg” salad sandwiches to his meat-eating buddies at work!

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Phew! Now that the novel is done… I’m happy to announce that Random.org has chosen Erin as the winner of the cookbook, How It All Vegan! Congratulations, Erin!

I’m also thrilled to share that Erin is receiving her copy of How It All Vegan! courtesy of the inaugural Cookbook Club winner, Mary, who generously wanted to contribute to the spirit of the Cookbook Club by donating an Amazon.com gift certificate toward this month’s giveaway. Thank you so much Mary for your wonderful gift!

Those of you who participated in the giveaway may visit this link to confirm that you were indeed entered in the giveaway and that I didn’t cheat. :-p Thanks to you all!