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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Marissa Rose says
Hi Sam!! I am a brand new baby vegan - only on my second week! I don't know how it took me until I was 30 (or 3 weeks from turning 30) to connect my love and respect for animals to the logical choice of becoming vegan. About 4 years ago I started a journey from 270 pounds down to 150 pounds. Most of my weight loss was assisted by a low carb diet. Practically the opposite of vegan! Well, still lots of veggies, but no fruit and tons of animal protein. I've maintained my weight loss for the past 3 years, staying steady around 155. Now, two weeks into my vegan lifestyle, I have lost those 5 pounds that seemed to creep back up on me and I"m feeling WONDERFUL! I wish I had done this years ago! I was always afraid that eating any carbs would make me gain weight - boy was I wrong. I've tried a few of your recipes already and they;re delicious, easy and satisfying! Thank you for doing what you do and helping us newbies ease into this fantastic way of life! Oh! And your creamy chipotle lime bean salad converted my fiance and he is joining me as a vegan!! THANK YOU!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Marissa Rose! A big congrats to you on your new veganism!!!!! Don't worry, it's never too late to go vegan. I was 28 when I went vegan and felt exactly the same way... why didn't I figure this out sooner?? Hahha. That's so wonderful to hear that going vegan not only maintained your weight but helped you even more! You're right, carbs aren't evil at all. I highly recommend the book The Starch Solution or this speech from the same doctor. He explains how starches are so so good for you. I'm so very happy my bean salad converted your fiance! Amazing. Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes. Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
.Desiree says
Hi, Sam,
Quick history: my son & his special lady very subtly and lovingly urged me to consider my heart (I, too, love and respect animals) and the inconsistency of how I was living my life (I, too, ate meat, owned leather and, at one time, fur - shudder). So, 3 1/2 years ago I adopted a vegetarian diet and 6 months later transitioned to vegan. At (then) age 61 this was a bit of a change, as you might imagine, but (now) at age 64 I could never, ever go back. My french family was from Brittany so you can imagine the delicious sauces and stews I grew up with as well as the influence from the Italian side of the family (which is why I have Chloe C 's cookbook in my collection) (she says with a sly smile). And then I found you... all excited and bubbly and so willing to share and spread the word! I have never been so blessed as I was the day I found your blog and your amazing recipes. Merci beaucoup, ma chere amie! You said phooey, phooey to fake food and blah flavor and have given us recipes that are tres magnifique! I'm so excited you've finally written a cookbook! I just pre-ordered one for the two precious people who inspired me in the first place and will give that to them for Christmas. Well, maybe I'll have to give it to them earlier. Or maybe I'll keep that one for myself and pre-order another one for them later! Um, now that I wrote that I think I'll go back and fix my order so I'm ordering two. Ahem. Sorry. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for being you and for graciously sharing your passion with us.
Much love and keep up the fantastic work!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Desiree!! What a lovely compliment. I'm so happy you love what I am doing, it's messages like yours that make my job the best job in the whole world! Thanks for adding some extra pep in my step today. I hope you enjoy my book as much as I loved creating it 🙂
Carol says
I just tried your Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Mozzarella cheese. I did not boil the cashews, I put all ingredients into my Vitamix blender, but omitted the garlic power. The result was a nice thick holds-its-own-shape Mozzarella that reminds me of fresh mozzarella. I put the mixture in a glass container lined with parchment paper. I LOVE this recipe. I have been vegetarian for most of my life, and vegan for almost four years for the same reasons as you - I can't unknow what I've read and I also have Canadian roots! Thank you for the recipe for the one food I missed the most.
Sam Turnbull says
Hello Carol, fellow Canadian! 🙂 Woohoo! So happy you loved the recipe so much! Us vegans love the ooey gooey too. 😉 I hope you saw I have a nacho cheese you might like and have a few more vegan cheese recipes coming out in my new cookbook. I look forward to seeing you around the blog 🙂
Kim Emons says
I love love love your recipes. Your food is amazing. I just the other day I was thinking....hmmm, this woman really needs to put out a cookbook and low and behold, I see you are releasing on this year. Can't wait for it. I wish you great success. You really do help to eat vegan in fun ways rather than just rice and beans or salad. Thank you! And it's awfully nice to support and follow a fellow Canadian. Great job 'ey!
Sam Turnbull says
Awwww shucks!!! Thank you so much, Kim! Yes, my cookbook is ready for pre-order this Sunday! Don't miss it as there is going to be a little gift involved 🙂 So happy you are loving my work, it's because of comments like this that make my job the best job ever. 🙂
Kim Emons says
Amazon? Or another venue for the pre-order? Can't wait!
Sam Turnbull says
Lots of options! Ccheck it out here 🙂
Sunnyside Hanne says
I adored hearing about your journey into veganism. My mom grew up on a small chicken farm in Denmark and at age 50 (in america) became vegan and was out there protesting at KFCs and the like. My dad at age 82 (in a nursing home) gave up meat and became vegetarian. (man did they ever try to force the meat on him).
Anyway I enjoy your natural quirky nature and the way you let your light shine. Keep spreading those amazing recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much!! So happy you enjoyed my story. I love yours as well, it's never too late to go veg! 🙂
Michele says
Hi Sam. Just found your site. I took a similar path to yourself going vegan after years of vegetarianism. It's the best thing I ever did and wished I had started earlier. I'm a huge fan of eating simple, delicious unprocessed foods and follow McDougall, Greger and Chef AJ to name a few. So pleased to see you are from Toronto. We are almost neighbours... I'm from Kitchener-Waterloo. Looking forward to trying your recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Michele,
Welcome!! I agree, going vegan was the best thing I ever did! I hope you enjoy my recipes, I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Joe says
Hi Sam!
I literally JUST found your site and I want to make every single recipe. Like right now! But, I will pace myself.
Of course I will start with this one since it was top of the favorites list!
Thanks for all the great new recipes to try. You've got yourself a new fan!
Joe says
Obviously I'm jumping around the site too much because that was meant to be posted on the cucumber avocado rolls page. Ha! Also seeing that you are (were?) an art director - so we share the same profession! Currently working freelance after doing the agency thing for many, many years. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Thanks, Joe 🙂 Welcome to my site, and so happy you are tempted by all the deliciousness! Yes, I was an art director, now a full-time blogger. Woot! I hope you enjoy the rolls and many more recipes 🙂
Rachel says
I am so excited to have found your blog! I have a similar vegan conversion story that only occurred since Christmas; it started with Forks Over Knives and continued with the Alkaline 5 Diet book. Since then, my husband and I are completely on board with the plant-based lifestyle. Our two young children, however, are a tougher sell, so our vegan journey hasn't been as smooth as I would like. I look forward to trying your recipes with my family and continuing on this path to healthier meals!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Welcome, Rachel (and family). Forks Over Knives is what hooked me too! Have you seen the new film Eating You Alive? I highly recommend that as well. So happy you found my site, I hope you enjoy my recipes and I look forward to seeing you around 😀
Rachel says
I haven't heard of that one before. I just followed your link and watched the trailer for it; it looks very interesting! Thanks for the recommendation! I'm hoping in time to get my extended family on board as well. My father has Type II Diabetes and high BP, and I know his diet needs work. Patience, though, as I work on my own journey first. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, the best way to inspire people is to lead by example 😀
Antonia Roper says
Oh Hello!!! I've just stumbled across this blog and I'm loving it!! I only "accidentally" became vegan a month ago when I decided to try Veganuary as a challenge, after seeing the Vegucated et al documentaries! So much of the stuff you say in your biog rings a bell!! After doing Veganuary for a month I realised there was no way I could go back to not being a vegan, even though, like you, I found it frustrating and almost wished sometimes that I could "unlearn" some of the stuff I'd discovered 🙁
Anyway, none of that nonsense, I am so glad I have made this life-changing decision, and I'm so glad I've found your blog, it is FAB!! Thanks for all the recipes, inspiration and funny articles, thanks for taking the time to post it all, it is really helping this newbie!!
Much love and happiness,
Antonia
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome, Antonia! And welcome to your new veganism! Haha. That's so awesome, I love that Veganuary was the test run and that you are deciding to stick with it. I promise it only gets easier and more delicious as you go 🙂 So happy you are loving my blog! Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 😀
Antonia Roper says
Thank you so much xxx
Danielle says
This the greatest vegan blog I have ever come across and I've read a lot of them. Great job with this! And thanks for all that you have put together here.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks, thank you so very much, Danielle! I'm so flattered 😀 It's my absolute pleasure, and I hope you continue to love my blog and everything I put out for a very long time 🙂
Jess Dalliday says
Hey Sam! I just read your story and I can relate 100%!! I am pretty sure I went through the exact same steps as you (eating like a carnivore to going vegan). It's been life changing and I love that you are sharing your story. I am from Toronto too and I am actually starting a blog to share my story and plant-based recipes (should be ready in the next few weeks!!). I'm super nervous but seeing your blog and how successful you've been is inspirational!
All the best and I will definitely be back to try more of your delicious recipes!!
Jess
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome, Jess! That's awesome, so fun we have such a similar story! I look forward to seeing you around, and I hope you enjoy many of my recipes. Congrats and good luck on your new blog 🙂
Sarah P. says
Yeah! I found you, the vegan I was looking for that I didn't know I needed! Friendly, cheerful and full of life!!
I too WAS a devoted carnivore until Nov. 1 2016 when I stumbled on Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet. I turned off the meat and diary switch in one day and haven't looked back. Food tastes so good now. I am looking forward to trying your recipes and receiving your emails! Big hugs!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!!! You found me! So happy I was just the person you didn't know you were looking for. Haha. Welcome to your new veganism Sarah! It only gets better an better! I look forward to seeing you around the blog 🙂
Theresa Madden says
Hey, Sarah and Sam! Finishing up Kris Carr's 21-Day Crazy Sexy You Wellness Program, after reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live (that a friend recommended to me after losing 33 pounds and getting rid of her Diabetes Type 2 symptoms)! Same story as the two of you--enough information (and issues with arthritis) led me down the vegan path. Another friend led me to your blog, Sarah, and here I am, not only going vegan but happy about it! All the best to both of you!
Sam Turnbull says
Congrats on your new veganism!! So happy you found my blog. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Bernadette says
Hi Sam,
Have just read "about" you. Your story is very uplifting! Have been mulling "going vegan" for several weeks ... recognize the benefits .. wonder, could I really do it ... what will help is that I have always loved looking at recipes, trying out new recipes & I love to cook. And happy eating pretty much anything. The challenge: my husband is a pickier eater, loves his chicken .. not a very adventurous eater.
Your page is encouraging me to get started! Look forward to your book!
Bernadette says
By the way, I'm 60, my husband is 70 ... and we're Canadian! Was thrilled when read that you are Canadian!!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! It's perfect timing Bernadette as January is known as Veganuary, the month the internet challenges the world to go vegan! Haha. If you love to cook and try new recipes, it's going to be a breeze for you! It might be more of a challenge for your husband, but if he gives it a solid try, I bet he will feel so much healthier and energized that he will stick to it (that's what happened to me)! My next post coming out on Tuesday is my Top 10 most popular recipes of the year, so make sure you're subscribed as that is a great place to start. Looking forward to seeing you around 🙂
Milton says
Hi Sam let me start off by just saying you are just cuter than a bug in a rug , I found a post of yours someone put up on face book so I looked you up glad I did , I so enjoy your enthusiasm about being vegan and looking at your post , I'm 75 years young and just getting started , I wish I had learned a lot sooner , anyway I enjoyed reading reading about how you became vegan and the fact that you had to face a bunch of meat eaters wow that must of been hard for you , well I better stop rambling and get off of here I guess , I live in Nebraska USA so I'll keep checking your post . Thank you Milton
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha why thank you Milton 🙂 I think almost every vegan I have spoken with has said the same thing, I wish I went vegan sooner, regardless of how young or old they started! So happy you found my blog, let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Luigi LaValle says
I've been Vegan for 4 months and LOVE it. Just found your blog...... here is where i shall spend all of my free time from now on. haha, you're amazing 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Hahahahaha! Aww shucks. Thanks Luigi! Congrats on your new veganism. I look forward to seeing you around 🙂
Cynthia Lindstedt says
Sam - I just came across your "How to Make a Vegan Snack Board" and hence your blogsite, and both are amazing! Can't wait to "wow" my guests with this creation. Your artistic background is evident in the creativity and esthetic appeal of your recipes. Can't wait to discover more!
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome Cynthia! Thank you so much, glad you found me and my blog. I hope you enjoy discovering lots of yumminess 🙂
Angelina Bell says
My wife and I are very excited about going vegan! Love your blog and recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Congratulations to you and your wife! So happy you found me. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 😀
Lynn Kennedy says
Hi Sam so happy I came across this blog and recipe site. I've been vegan for almost a year and I'm so excited by cooking now. I don't think I've eaten LESS salads since going vegan. Can't wait to peruse the site and START COOKING!! Thanks again!
Lynn
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome Lynn!
So happy to have you here and congrats on your veganniversary! Looking forward to seeing you around 🙂
Britta & Mark Marrinan says
So relate to your story. We went vegan 8 months ago at the ages of 55 and 57. Never looked back s d are more on live with the food journey than ever before. Great site! Kudos!
Sam Turnbull says
Congrats Britta and Mark! That's so awesome, and so happy you can relate. So happy you enjoy my site, I hope you get a chance to test out a few recipes 🙂
Britta says
So I baked your Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Cake to make into a Black Forest Cake to bring to an Octoberfest event. NO one is vegan there and last year I brought a non vegan BFC. It was killing. So this year they expect the same. I'm switching out your recipe for this years cake with an attempt to have them not notice any difference 😉 So we taste tested it. It is AMAZING. Hello! You never miss the eggs and milk etc. Bravo! Vegan is so much more tasty than people realize who are not eating vegan. Once you start in with learning to cook this way, your world explodes outward with possibilities. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
YAY! So happy you loved it Britta! Yes, isn't it funny, I have never ever heard someone say "hmmm... I wished this cake tasted more egg-y" yet often people assume vegan food will be gross. So happy you and everyone else loved it so much. You're absolutely right, vegan is way more tasty than people realize, that's what I am here to teach 🙂
Pam Allenheringer says
First time to your website!! I just finished watching Forks and Knives and Cowspiracy. Between your "about me" article and the movies I have been inspired to become vegan. I enjoyed your approach to life very much and am looking forward to cooking with your recipes! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Pam,
Welcome! That's such fabulous news, congratulations on your new veganism!!! I really hope you enjoy my recipes, and let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂