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Hi friends!

I'm Sam Turnbull, vegan recipe blogger, and bestselling cookbook author, writing to you from Toronto, Canada.

Here's my story...

Going vegan

You might be surprised to hear that the moment I decided I was going to go vegan, I was completely and utterly bummed about it.

Let me explain, I NEVER in a million years thought I would become vegan.

I grew up in a family of foodies, chefs, butchers, and hunters (yes, it's true). My household had a flock of chickens (both for eggs and for eating), the freezers were stocked full of meat, steaks were cooked rare, and there were even real animal heads decorating the walls (not that I ever liked the heads). Now, doesn't that just sound like the most vegan household you have ever heard of? Probably not. So, as I'm sure you can imagine, switching to veganism was a BIG change for me.

So what in the world happened?

As a kid I always loved animals. I had dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, and even a rabbit named Gravy (no, I didn't realize how incredibly odd that was at the time). But even though I loved animals, I was still an avid meat eater. It made sense to me: animals were killed because we "needed" to eat meat and that seemed a-ok to me.

I thought vegetarians, and especially vegans, were so extreme and silly. They were all dying of protein deficiency for sure. (Insert eye roll here.) So, that's how I was coasting along through life. Loving my pets, being creeped out by fur and taxidermy, all while wearing leather and eating meat, eggs, and dairy.

Then…

One fine day in 2012, I made (what turned out to be) the best decision ever: to sit down and watch a documentary about being vegan called "Vegucated". And that triggered some uncomfortable questions in my brain.

So the next morning I woke up and decided to try being vegan. I cleaned out my cupboards and fridge of anything that wasn't vegan and started this crazy new adventure. I knew I wanted to try it, but I also knew I wasn't entirely convinced yet, so that night I watched "Forks Over Knives".  And then I followed that up with every health, environment, and animal cruelty book and film I could get my hands on.

The result? You guessed it, here I am today, dun dun duuuuun! A vegan. (Hi!) 👋

By the end of my documentary and book binge-fest, two things were absolutely clear to me:

  1. I was officially going vegan.
  2. I didn't want to be vegan.

After all of my research, it made 100% logical sense to me to be vegan. It was better for my health, the environment, and, of course, the animals. The problem was, I actually hated the idea of adopting a vegan lifestyle. I remember being so frustrated, almost wishing I could unlearn all of the facts I had learned. I loved meat and cheese, and I really didn't want to be "that weird vegan girl." Well, I couldn't unlearn, so I had to come up with a new plan of attack: be the best damn vegan I could be!

Becoming the best damn vegan I could be...

I had always loved to cook, so I started researching vegan cooking. I stocked my cupboards with what the recipes required: hard-to-find, expensive, and odd ingredients such as arrowroot starch, brown rice syrup, xylitol, guar gum, spelt, hemp, and other things that I still have lingering in some back corner.

All the recipes had names that included the words "energy," "glow," "detox," or "power," and were mainly for bars, balls, juices, smoothies, and salads. They required hours of prep, dehydrating, and straining, and had a ton of steps.

Cookies were raw, chocolate was frozen, desserts were healthy, dinner was spiralized, grain bowls were a must, and everything had kale, quinoa, chia seeds, sprouts, avocado, and coconut oil in it. This, to me, was indeed boring food

Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those kinds of recipes. They just weren't for me. Sometimes I love a smoothie or juice, but for the most part, I just want pancakes and pasta. Why did I have to become all sprouts and kale just because I was vegan?

So, I began playing around in the kitchen...

Not only were my new creations satisfying, hearty, full of flavour, and straight-up delicious, but they were just as easy to make as any other meal. With limitation came inspiration, and before I knew it, going vegan had become one of the best decisions I'd ever made!

As a sweet bonus, I saw my health improve. I didn't even know that I had been feeling bad until I learned what it felt like to truly feel great! Gone were the days of feeling bloated after eating, of having a sensitive stomach, of getting drowsy mid-afternoon, of unbuttoning my jeans after meals, and of feeling guilty and grossed out when I thought about what my dinner really was. I was now healthier, leaner, more energetic, and just overall happier.

The best and most surprising part of going vegan was that I absolutely loved it!

I started to document my recipes so I could make them again and again. At first, I was just taking quick snaps on my phone and jotted down the ingredients, but I decided a better plan was to (not so subtly) woo my friends, family, and anyone who would listen to the greener side by sharing my recipes online. And so this blog, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken, was born. Hot dang, it worked! Friends, family, vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores from across the world were making my recipes - and raving about them!

As the feedback started rolling in, I fell in love with recipe writing. It was so fun, creative, and tasty! Not only that, but I was helping to show people that a plant-based diet can be totally delicious, easy, doable, and good for you! Now, fast forward 10 years, and I'm proud to be "that weird vegan girl". Haha. I have made it my full-time career to share all of my totally scrumptious, approachable, comfort food favorites, and everyday meals made vegan. No fussing about, just good ol' food that everyone will love, vegan or not.

This blog now gets millions of visitors every month, I have two bestselling and award-winning cookbooks, I run an online subscription meal planner called The Easy Vegan Meal Plan, I teach online cooking courses at The Ultimate Vegan Kitchen, and you could easily say that going vegan was one of the best decisions I ever made. 🙂

If you are new here...

If you're like me, a reluctant vegan, or if you are just looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, I'm here for you! I promise to help you fall in love with vegan food.

The best place to start is by signing up to receive my free eCookbook of the Top 30 Vegan Recipes! In this book, you will receive 30 fan-favorite, easy, and incredibly delicious vegan recipes. Whether you're new to plant-based cooking or not, you are going to love these recipes!

Just enter your name and email address below and get ready to start receiving a whole bunch of mouth-watering, easy-to-make vegan recipes.

Sign up here

(And of course, we respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time).

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara says

    I decided to become vegan a few months ago, one night, after watching Vegucated 🙂 I love your blog, I need to learn how to cook for a family of four (soon of five!).

    • Sam says

      Hi Sara!
      Congrats on your vegan adventure!
      I have lots of recipes on my blog that are kid friendly (so I am told). Congrats on being a such an awesome mom! Let me know if you have any questions. 😀
      Sam

  2. Silvia @ Ribas with Love says

    Sam, you are so sweet! Nice page and great recipes too. I am so glad I came across your page 🙂

    • Sam says

      Aww shucks, thanks so much Silvia! I am so glad you came across my page too! 😀

  3. Kathryn says

    Sam, your blog is the best! I must confess that I'm not vegan, but I refrain from eating cheese, meat, or poultry. I think I'm what you call an ovo-pescatarian. Most of my meals are vegan based, and your recipes are outstanding. The ingredients are easily obtained and the recipes easy to follow. Best of all, it's super-delish! I hope your readership grows and grows. I've recommended your blog to many of my friends. My favorite so far has to be the creamy cashew dressing, which I use almost every day.

    • Sam says

      Kathryn,
      You're the best!! As I like to say, doing something is a million times better than doing nothing at all. 😀 I am so very happy you love my recipes so much. I too make that dressing constantly!! Your comment totally made my day, I am going to be skipping everywhere where I go today! Haha.
      Sam

  4. Candace says

    I am SO glad I found this blog! Thank you for sharing your recipes and beliefs. I love being vegan and I am excited to try your recipes! 🙂

    • Sam says

      Thank you Candace, I am SO glad you found this blog too! So happy to have you here and looking forward to seeing you around in the comments. Let me know if you have any questions. Welcome!

  5. Rebeccake8 says

    Dietary Vegan or Ethical Vegan?

    • Sam says

      Both! I started my journey with more of a focus on the dietary side of things. As I was eating vegan, I began looking into all aspects of veganism, and for the first time I was willing to truly listen and learn about animal cruelty. So it wasn't long before I became an ethical vegan as well. Now I live my life as cruelty free as I am able. 🙂

  6. Anonymous says

    Your blog is amazing! I've only been vegan for 2 weeks, but been weaning off for awhile - anyway, I LOVE your blog 🙂 Thanks!

    • Sam says

      Thank you so very much! Wish you left your name so I could thank you properly 🙂
      Congrats on your first two weeks!! Making the switch is the hardest part, it will only get easier from here. Please let me know if you have any questions, or need any support.
      Best,
      Sam

  7. Jenny Bailey says

    I am in love with your blog! I get the emails and can't wait to open them. I think my mouth honestly waters reading them! Haha!

    • Sam says

      Aww shucks, I love you Jenny!! Best comment all week! I'm grinning from ear to ear. 🙂

  8. Anonymous says

    SAM! I'm yelling because I'm giving you a shout out 🙂 you're awesome and I love all of the recipes and advice.

    • Sam says

      I wish you left a name so I could yell how awesome you are!! My day has totally been made for being yelled at. Who knew!?

  9. Emily says

    Hi,
    First off I am an art teacher ( I used to make art for myself I swear) and your illustrations are awesome! I was just wondering what you do for fitness!! I love my plant-y diet but I don't love my bod. I was just wondering if anyone had recommendations. I tried running but hurt my joints, and I do pilates but am too poor to keep up those expensive classes.
    I don't have any vegan friends, let alone girl friends to ask.
    ... That seems a bit more pathetic then I meant!

    Welp Happy Monday

    • Samantha Turnbull says

      Hi Emily,
      Thank you for loving my illustrations, I love drawing them! 🙂
      For fitness, I hands down, 100%, swear up and down, as someone who has always tried to get in shape but never did until now, love weight lifting. Now before you get all worried about getting bulky, you have to try really, really, really hard to get bulky as a female, it just doesn't happen unless you really want it to. That's why they have whole competitions around it, it's hard! And if somehow you magically did get bulky arms or something, all you would have to do is stop doing arm exercises until they go back to the way you like. It's that easy.
      I highly recommend getting lessons with a personal trainer so that you learn form first. Form is the MOST important. It doesn't matter if it means you can only lift very light weights at first, you don't want to hurt yourself, and doing the exercises properly will ensure results. If hiring a trainer is out, then watch youtube videos by bodybuilders (yes the huge bulky people), because they know what they are doing. Become friends with people at the gym who are big and bulky, and they will be able to watch you and help you with form too. Get that butt out!
      If you learn how to do a proper deadlift, squat, and bench press, you could do just those three exercises 2-3 times a week and see big results. You could definitely add in more exercises but those three are the best because they work your whole body. Don't worry about doing a million ab exercises, as it can build muscle out, which personally I don't want. Cardio is great, but it takes way more effort to see results. One of the benefits of weight lifting is that because you work your muscles, they have to heal and recharge, so even when you are not working out, you are burning more calories and getting in better shape!
      I think it's really fun that I can see progress so easily with the weight I can lift. Trust me, I didn't start by doing 130 pound deadlifts!
      A warning as a vegan, when I worked with a personal trainer, they basically told me that because I am vegan, I am going to shrivel up and die, and at the same time would say that I was going to get fat from all the carbs I eat. A lot of the weight lifting sites or trainers will say you need a million times the amount of protein you eat. Don't worry about that. Unless you really are trying to bulk up, then eat a diet based on whole foods and you are set. There are lots of vegan protein powders available if you like though. (I don't usually bother). Just let it roll off your back, and maybe send them over to http://www.veganbodybuilding.com
      I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

      • Emily says

        thank you!!! I have heard a lot about lifting, I love the idea of getting strong. I am used to vegan haters they don't know how good it feels 🙂

      • Samantha Turnbull says

        Yes, it feels great to get strong! Let me know how it goes for you. It's awkward at first, but it's so great once you learn it.

    • juli says

      @Emily! If you enjoy pilates/other bodyweight exercises, maybe you should try looking up some routines on the internet? You don't have to pay for classes, you can just turn on youtube and workout 🙂 I like blogilates, fitnessblender and tara stiles, but there are muuuuch much more!

      • Samantha Turnbull says

        Nice recommendations!

      • Emily says

        Thanks juli! I just looked at blogilates how is this free?! I will check the others out I appreciate it!!!!

  10. tsyana says

    hi!
    I just found your website. I am seriously copiously copying down the recipes. I am 15 years old and going vegan *sneakily*-mother doesn't know mwahaahaha! keep up the good work

    • Samantha Turnbull says

      Hi tysana. Welcome! 🙂 haha! Very sneaky indeed! Best of luck. When your mother does find out, hopefully you would have already made her some delicious vegan recipes that she will ask for again and again. Haha. Enjoy!

  11. southmtngirl says

    I *just* discovered the canned jack fruit idea from you and I LOVE it!! Well I really *love* that my veg at home husband enjoyed it so much especially! I'm vegan so am always looking for ideas to feed the DH. I used a copycat chipotle chicken marinade recipe and marinated the jackfruit in that for a few hours and then sautéed, was really tasty. What an awesome idea, thankyou so much!! =)

    • itdoesnttastelikechicken says

      That's awesome! Andrew can never get enough of the jackfruit either! It really is one of the best whole food meaty like things. I've also fed it to a bodybuilder who couldn't get enough. Thanks so much for sharing your version of the recipe too!

    • itdoesnttastelikechicken says

      Thanks Loretta! You have a cute site too 🙂

  13. Heather says

    Just found you Sam!! I'm almost vegan too and have been for about 18months! Best decision ever..other than marrying my hubby and being a Christian. I eat honey from a lady who gathers it herself and I eat the eggs my hens lay! How good is it to eat so well!! Anyway...thanks for your site..looking forward to looking through it! I'm 53 and feeling soooo healthy and happy! Gradually influencing my family too! All the best
    Heather

    • itdoesnttastelikechicken says

      Hi Hearher!
      Congrats on 18 months. It's crazy how good and energized going vegan makes you feel! So glad you are enjoying it too. I hope your enjoy my recipes and posts. I look forward to reading your comments 🙂

  14. Shauna says

    Hi! I can't believe I just now found your site! Love it! I have been Vegan for almost 20 years now (ok now I feel old haha) and also love to blog about Vegan food etc... ANYWAY, lol, I'm loving your personality and blog. Your recipes look great! Can't wait to try some of them out soon. 🙂

    • itdoesnttastelikechicken says

      Hi Shauna!

      20 years, that’s awesome! Congratulations.Thanks for the lovely compliment, you totally made my day! Nice to meet you 🙂

  15. Gin says

    Glad to have stumbled across this site. Making a "vegan" Christmas dinner this year and will be using some of these recipes!

    • Samantha Turnbull says

      Hi Gin! Welcome! Yay for vegan Christmas! I will be making some new scrumptious Christmas-y dishes in the next few posts so stay tuned for more. 🙂

  16. epicureanvegan says

    Just came across your blog. Your recipes look and sound amazing and I look forward to trying some!
    April

    • Samantha Turnbull says

      Hi April,
      Thanks so much! Let me know which recipes you try and how they turn out for you, or if you have any questions. 🙂

  17. Kayla Revae Pins (@kaylarevae) says

    I found your blog from Twitter and look forward to following you! I too am an "imperfect" vegan and appreciate your approach.

    • Samantha Turnbull says

      Hi Kayla, thanks so much! Yes, I think it's better to show people how easy and delicious vegan eating is, rather than sweating the small stuff! You don't have to live off of tofu! Haha

  18. Darryl Palmer says

    You make vegan fun, and look good!

    • Sam says

      Aww thanks!!

  19. Cat Scharf says

    Interested to follow your blog! You seem like a down to Earth vegan! 🙂

    • Sam says

      Thanks! I think I am! Or at least I try to be. I just like to eat the food I like to eat! haha

  20. Rosemarie says

    Great blog Sammy! Look fwd to trying your recipes. Rosie

    • itdoesnttastelikechicken says

      Thanks Rosie!
      I could use some of your super secret tips for my photos! 🙂