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:
- I was officially going vegan.
- 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.
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Charleene says
Thank you for all your hard work in creating these delicious recipes! They look terrific. Now I need to get busy and try them.
Sam Turnbull says
You are most welcome Charleene! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Jenni says
hi Sam! Awesome story and so nice to "meet" you! I went vegetarian after 30 years of undiagnosed celiac disease ravaged my insides so that it became impossible to digest meat. Also the best decision I ever made! Love your site! So many amazing recipes. Congrats on the book deal, can't wait to buy 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you!! That's so awesome, glad it was the best decision ever for you! Actually my best friend had gluten intolerance, and after several months of being vegan, it seems as though her gut has healed enough that she can no digest it again. So cool! Welcome to my site, nice to meet you too. I look forward to seeing you around 😀
carol broll says
I absolutely LOVED your story. I'm 70 years old and have been vegan for almost 20 years now. When I started, being vegan was a very lonely thing. Most people had not heard of veganism and there were no vegan recipes around and pretty much all there was to buy were some veggie burgers and Tofutti cheese slices. It is thrilling to me to see how different things are now (especially in large cities - I live in Manhattan). The WEB is full of vegan recipes, there are new vegan restaurants popping up constantly and what makes me most happy is seeing how the movement has exploded with the younger generation.
I volunteer at a farmed animal sanctuary and most of the volunteers are late teens or early twenties so I get my fill of inspiration from them. What I loved about your blog is your enthusiasm and clear presentation of how and why you became vegan. I hope that you have many followers and that others will be inspired to follow in your footsteps.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Carol,
Thank you so very much!! WOW! Congrats on being vegan for 20 years. That's so amazing, you're such an inspiration. I wish I had discovered veganism much sooner. Even in the 3.5 years that I have been vegan I have seen huge changes, so I can only imagine how different it is for you. Another 10 years and I think veganism will be very common. So happy you like my blog and I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Breana Grullon says
Hi! I just came across your blog, and I already have 7 tabs open of recipes I want to try hehe! I've only transitioned to the vegan lifestyle for about a month now, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I too got interested through the same exact documentaries and the book How Not to Die, but then the hardest part was actually wanting to be a vegan and dealing with all of the scrutiny and such! But I am so so glad I did. I can't wait to try your yummy recipes 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha! Yay! That's awesome 🙂 Congrats on your new veganism!! Yes, I think you are absolutely right, the scrutiny is the hardest part. That should fade a bit amongst friends and family as time goes on, and you will also get better at responding (or not responding) to it. I think as far as eating goes, switching to veganism is just breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones, and it sounds like you are well on your way! So happy you found my blog. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support 🙂
Samar says
Sam! I really love your blog and I am going nuts over your gooey cheese recipe which I made and used on pizza today and can I say I am in love with it! So delicious and easy - THANK YOU! I can't wait for your book release in Australia 🙂 x
Sam Turnbull says
Aww so happy to have you here!! I can't wait either 😀
Lizzie Violet says
I love being subscribed to Toronto based, Vegan blogs! We need more amazing blogs like this! I am subscribed to a few US and UK based ones. They will mention products or places that sound amazing, but... am sure you know what I mean!
For some reason I didn't realize you also had a YouTube channel as well. Will be checking that out and binge watching shortly!
Thank you for this amazing blog and your recipes AND your attitude toward being Vegan. I have been Vegan for well over 15 years, (lost track) and was Vegetarian since I was 15. I have heard it all. Every single question and comment. I haven't died of protein deficiency yet or turned orange from all the carrots.
Cheers!
Lizzie!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you Lizzie! Yes, whenever I work with brands I always make sure they are available in Canada as well! I just started my YouTube channel, so not a ton of videos yet, but once I finish writing my cookbook I plan on posting a new video weekly. I hope you like them! 🙂
So glad (although not surprised) that you haven't died of protein deficiency. Haha!!
Cheers!
Hillary Santana says
Sam,
I have recurred to your blog because I had two options. It was either becoming vegan, or getting an organ extracted out of my body. It would seem like a rational decision to get into surgery, but when I found out in august, I decided I could change my lifestyle and become a happier version of myself. I am just seventeen years old, which is why I am asking for your help. I have read many recipe's online, none that I really liked (or could eat). With my condition, apart of deciding to become vegan, I cannot eat a bunch of other things, like many vegetables (avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.), many fruits (strawberries, bananas, blackberries, etc.) and cannot eat gluten, wheat, or yeast. I am continuously eating the same things, and even though I like it sometimes, it can get quite boring at many others. Could you recommend me anything at all? I would really appreciate your help, I really love your blog. 🙂
Sam says
Hi Hillary,
I would love to help! Could you send me a complete list of the things you can eat, or cannot eat, and the kinds of things you have been eating? Without a full list I feel like I would just be taking a stab in the dark. You can send me an email 🙂
Naomi Victoria says
Just found your website through Google and youre a real inspiration! Ive been a vegetarian all my life, but my sister was a big chicken eater (she LOVED KFC) before finding veganism and falling in love with it. Ill definitly be making your vegan watermelon jellies for her birthday! 🙂
Sam says
Yay! Thanks so much Naomi! So happy you're digging my blog. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Kris says
I just found your blog via Pinterest (orange ginger tofu, woop woop). I just wanted to say that I really liked reading your description of becoming vegan. Over the past few years, I've eaten mostly vegetarian, and I plan to make the leap to go fully vegetarian/vegan. Like you, I grew up eating meat, and now have tried to educate myself about factory farming, health, etc. via books & documentaries. Hadn't heard of Veducated til now, so I'll be watching that next. Thanks for being a resource!
Sam says
Aww thanks Kris! So happy you are digging my blog. Let me know if you have an questions, need any support, or want more documentary or book recommendations... I could go on forever! haha. 🙂
Catie says
I have been following you for a few months and am just now reading how you became vegan. I swear it's almost my exact story, down to it starting with Vegucated. Though, my boyfriend wanted to go vegan after seeing the footage of the baby chicks (we all know that footage). He didn't show it to me but just walked into the I was in and said he wanted to go Vegan. First I had to ask what vegan meant. lol Then thought he was crazy! I couldn't give up pepperoni pizza and cakes and donuts and cheesecake! then a few days later he wanted to watch the documentary, Vegucated so we watched it together. Immediately after watching that doc. We went vegan. even went grocery shopping right after the movie! Never looked back. I can't wait for your cookbook to come out we will definitely be buying it. Love your recipes and next one I am going to try is the Crispy Breaded Tofu Steaks. Congrats to you from Ryan (the boyfriend- he gets to enjoy all your great recipes) and I!
Sam says
Oh wow that is a really similar story! It's so amazing how your life can totally be flipped like that, one moment not even knowing the word vegan, then next living the lifestyle. Congrats!! Thank you so much for the support! It's because of people like you that I am even able to make this blog into a career 🙂 I hope you both love the tofu steaks!
Cindy says
Hi Sam! I just came across your blog thanks to a friend coming across your blog and mixing up a couple of mac'n sauce recipes. LOVE IT! You're 20-plus years younger, but your path to becoming a vegan was near the same as mine, yours a year earlier. Love the way you described, once you have the info, you really can't go back. (Well, some folks do, and I might have too had I not been dissatisfied with several things looming in the future.)
Like you, I'm eager to go vegan all the way, say in cosmetics (not that I use many), and in products. Have you written about any vegan cosmetitcs? Sure wish more hiking boots and shoes could be made in Gore-Tex or some other product. Right now I'm just re-using the heck out of what I've got, but that will end.
And your art is amazing.
What a treat!!!
Sam says
Hi Cindy!
Welcome 🙂
I do have a post on Vegan Things I Adore which mentions a few products, but I haven't gone into much detail yet. I would love to tho! I still have some non-vegan things (shoes, makeup, etc) lingering in my closet too from before I was vegan. It can be a bit of a pain to find new replacements, but for the most part, everything I found I love way more than what I had before, and it feels so cleansing knowing it is complete vegan. So happy you are loving my blog an my art! Let me know if you have any questions or need any support 🙂
kbell says
Sam, this blog is amazing - thank you so much! I've been vegetarian for a while and started a vegan adventure Jan 1st... I've had several failures in the kitchen since then, but I just made your magical gooey mozzarella stuff and it is amazing! The most satisfying cheese-alt I've encountered on the web and in the grocery 🙂
Sam says
Awww thank you kbell! Congrats on your vegan adventure! So happy to have you here 🙂
Remy says
Hello! So far, I'm LOVING your blog! I came to find it through a search for a potato soup recipe (which is so far my absolute favorite 😉 ) and have now tried a few more recipes and loved them. I'm a little nervous switching to vegan, especially as the main cook of the house (my partner being a meat lover and my toddler being... a toddler 😉 ). Plus I have a tree nut allergy and I'm noticing a lot of vegan recipes use tree nut products. Do you feel the majority of vegan meals use tree nut products or have I just had odd luck happening upon so many that do?
Fingers crossed, either way, that I'll stick with my decision! I know I'll feel better when I switch, it's something that's meant a lot to me for years. It's just the plunge that is frightening 😉
Sam says
Hi Remy! Thank you so much and welcome to you new vegan adventure!! I don't think it should be a problem having a tree nut allergy. I know some vegans who don't eat nuts at all. Of course there will be some recipes you cannot make, but there will be more than enough that you can. If you come across any of my recipes that have tree nuts in them, just leave a comment and I will happily help you substitute.
Don't be scared! Going vegan was one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel so much happier and healthier because of it. The key with feeding "meat eater" types, is just to make them really hearty delicious meals. From my experience, good food is good food. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support. 🙂
javid says
viva vegans
animals are my friends and i don't it my friends 🙂
thanks
Sam says
Haha yes viva vegans!
autoversicherung kündigung muster ändern says
It's really great that people are sharing this information.
Chace says
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I've used your recipes multiple times a week since going vegan a couple months ago. I don't think my husband and I could succeed in this huge change without this blog. Thank you!
Sam says
Awwww that's the best compliment ever!! Thank you so much Chace 😀
Melody says
Just found your blog; really nice work! Congratulations on becoming vegan even though you had opposition. I've been vegan for 16 years, and it didn't go over great with a lot of the people in my family, either. Plus, as a strength athlete, I catch a ton of flak for my choices (strong people can't be vegan!!!! Or healthy!!!! *eyeroll*) and constantly have to sift through general random vegan-shaming posts from my colleagues all over the interwebz (aaah, social media). Anyway, you're awesome and goofy and ambitious, and that is an awesome combination of things in a person. If you're ever in SoCal, we should totally have a cooking party. Yay! 😀
Sam says
Hi Melody! Welcome 🙂
I love that you are a strength athlete! That's so awesome. I love weight lifting and took a course on body building at one point. Best workout ever! Those bodybuilders can be the worst tho. The "nutritionist" would tell me how I was going to wither away and die, and at the same time would tell me that carbs were going to make me fat... Then I gained 8 pounds of muscle, and proved them all wrong. Vegan win! I can only imagine how much flak you get all the time! Thanks for the invite! Sounds super fun. If I ever make plans to visit SoCal I'll latcha know 😉
JP says
What's cooking good looking?:) Great site. Stay golden.
Sam says
Haha, why thank you 🙂
Rikki R says
Sam, I'm so glad I found you! I'm the only ethical vegan in my family--that I know of--aside from my plant-based aunt who introduced me to you. She is the only family member I have who is working hard on maintaining a plant-based lifestyle. When I was going vegan, I didn't exactly have any support from my family. Actually, my upbringing and general transitory experience was VERY similar to yours! (Add in the fact that I was killing animals myself by age 8, something deemed highly praiseworthy by the majority of my family members.) It's refreshing and comforting to hear such a similar story to my own. 🙂
My aunt and I have made major impacts on our family, thanks in part to your recipes!
Thanks for helping the vegan community change the world. Keep up the great work!
<3,
Rikki
Sam says
Hi Rikki!
I'm so glad you found me too!! That really goes to show that regardless of where you come from, you can definitely become a vegan. You're not actually the first story I have heard of people working on farms and slaughtering animals who then become vegan. I imagine it was so freeing for you. That's how I felt anyways. So happy you have been making some impacts with my recipes. I look forward to seeing you around in the comments! 😀
Sam
Meghan says
I just recently got into the hobby of looking up healthy recipes when I found your website along with others. Your blog was one to catch my eye, due to the name and you amazing and goofy pictures. After reading about your blog I decided to watch the movie Vegucated. I was balling my eyes out over the treatment of the animals. So today I have decided that I want to become a vegan. Although I am scared because I feel that my parents will have a hard time trying to cook meals that benefit me and them. But I was also wondering if you had any food recommendations to help he out.!?
Sam says
First of all, WOW! Congratulations Meghan!! I am so incredibly flattered that my blog, and the movies I recommend helped you make the switch. You are going to feel amazing and so healthy. Although, warning: you may go through a bit of a detox and feel kind of bad for a bit. If that happens, I promise, it will pass, just make sure you are eating enough calories. If you feel tired, get headaches, or feel weak, it's usually because you aren't eating enough. Animal products are some of the most calorie dense foods, so when you cut them out you have to eat more.
Living with your parents, I find that the easiest way would be to pick up some staples, such as Earth Balance, and almond milk, soy milk, or whatever kind of non-dairy milk you prefer. These are easy substitution for you and your family, and can be used just as you would use cows butter or milk. Often when my family prepares meat, they will cook it separately so I can just have the dish without meat (such as leaving the meat out of a pasta sauce). I would also keep some things on hand such as tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers, falafels, and cans of beans. You might find my articles "6 Steps to a Vegan Kitchen", "10 Things You Didn't Know About Vegans", and "8 Things Not To Do When Going Vegan" helpful as well. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions 😀
Alyssa says
I'm in love with your blog, and what it is so crazy is that in late January of 2013 I watched vegucated and became vegan!! I was vegetarian for about 2 years prior but still, that's so crazy!
I think you're extremely inspirational and I'm so happy I found your blog!! ❤️
Sam says
Awww geeze!! Thanks Alyssa, way to make me blush. Haha. We are like vegan twins. I'm so happy you found my blog too! 😀