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...
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steve p says
Hey, Sam! Love your books. Love your story. I'd love it if I could send you a copy of my children's picture book. It's got a gentle vegan message :). Just excited about it and want to share with some of my favourite vegan influencers. Thanks!!
Dina Kennedy says
Hello Sam! I have a wonderful favorite maple syrup muffin recipe that I don't know how to convert to vegan. I'm wondering if that's something you've tried your hand at? I'd be happy to share the non vegan recipe with you, if interested! Thanks for your help =)
Sam Turnbull says
I haven't tried anything like that before but maybe one day 🙂
Keith Ujvary says
You mention Cleaning tips: vital wheat gluten is very sticky and can destroy dish brushes and cloths. I use nylon surgical scrub brushes instead. The VWG can be rinsed off the bristles with minimal effort. I get them from Lee Valley Hardware in Ottawa. They are also great for cleaning vegetables. At $13.50 a dozen they are a bargain. I am not affiliated with Lee Valley other than as a customer.
Joyce says
Love your blog. I found it while I was searching for a Vegan cheese recipe. You are right when you state that a big hinderance to going Vegan is expensive and/or unfamiliar ingredients. Cashews and macadamia nuts are often touted in vegan dairy recopies, and both are outrageously expensive. I cannot wait to make your sunflower cheese, and I plan on ordering both of your books. Also l I have seen many of the documentaries you have listed on your blog. A couple more you many want to check out are What the Health, and Plant Pure Nation.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you are enjoying my recipes Joyce!
Ivy says
Hi Sam!
Today was my first time visiting It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken but after today, I'll sure be referencing it often! I'm a lifelong vegetarian, I've never eaten meat- but I have always relied on eggs, cheese, and milk. I decided to be a real vegan last week, I can no longer ignore the cruelties behind even the non-meat animal products I've always consumed. Your blog is an amazing tool and I really like how simple and easy your recipes are. Part of the reason I haven't gone vegan for so long is that so many vegan recipes have weird, expensive ingredients that I can't afford much less find in my local grocery store. I can see that using your recipes, I won't have this problem, and thanks to your blog, I am prepared to be the best damn vegan I can be too! Thank you so much for your help and awesome recipes- I'm eager to try them all!!! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Ivy! Welcome to my blog! And a huge congrats on your new veganism!!!!! I'm so excited for you 🙂 I hope you enjoy many of my recipes, and let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Mia says
Hi Sam,
Just want to thank you for the recipe fast and easy seitan. It’s so delicious and versatile with any savory plant based sauce! My fiancé who is now becoming a vegan really loves it!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww so happy to hear that 🙂
Julie Mcc says
Hi Sam,
First of all, I love your books. I have both, and while I own many more, yours are my top favorites by far. The recipes actually taste good, and I don't feel like I have to eat a pound of raw kale to be vegan anymore, lol. So thank you and please keep writing them, please.
That said, the issue I have and was hoping to get your opinion on is: How do you handle the potential deficiencies in vitamins and minerals? I had to stop being vegan a few times because of blood work showing varying deficits. How or what do you supplement with? How do you handle this aspect of nutrition?
Thank you so much for your time, and have a great day,
Julie
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Julie! So thrilled you love my books and recipes so much 🙂 I take vitamin D (the sun vitamin) because I live in Canada and during the winter I likely don't get enough sun/vitamin D. I also take B12 which is a bacteria-based vitamin (not found in animal products or in plants). Because we wash and sanitize our food so much we wash away harmful bacterias (which is a good thing), but also good bacteria like B12 so this is a common deficiency in all people. I don't supplement anything other than that. I get my blood tested yearly and everything always comes back perfect or better than perfect 🙂 I'm not sure what you're deficient in, but you can find all other nutrients in plants, so if you know what you are deficient in, you can simply google what plants are high in the nutrient and incorporate those into your diet. There is no need to eat animal products. I highly recommend reading the book "How Not to Die" and checking out the site Nutrition Facts for any nutrition questions. All of the info is non-biased, science-backed, and there are a ton of helpful videos too. Hope that helps 🙂
Julie Mcc says
Hi Sam,
Thank you so much for your reply. I will focus on these 2 and watch for the other ones that were an issue for me (low red blood cells/iron).
Have a great day,
Julie
Michael says
I really enjoyed this story because you convey so much sincere happiness with how you live now. I'm a vegan of many years but can't often express as well as you how much value and joy I get from it.
I really relate to your comment about not knowing how bad you had been feeling until you started feeling great. I've described to others how in a few weeks of going fully vegan, I felt like I was recovering from a long illness I didn't know I had. In addition to the near complete disappearance of stomach troubles of any kind, I felt happier and more energetic. It's even relieved my arthritis and I almost never get sick.
The animals are my first consideration, so I would have done it even if it didn't come with so many health perks. But health and happiness are the ultimate rewards for doing the right thing, and veganism rewards abundantly.
Sam Turnbull says
I love that story! Thank you, Michael! Isn't it great that we get to save our furry friends and feel better all at the same time!? It's really win win! 🙂
Sally Van Duzer Fulton says
Sam, I just made your creamed corn and seitan roast and OMG so good! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, wonderful! So happy you enjoyed them, Sally!
Shannavegana says
I’d say you worded that comment very eloquently! I would ditto your sentiment. Vegan 6 years. Veg for 2 before that.
Debbie says
Hi Sam, I have your book (getting new one soon). However, I need your help please. I am by far a Chef and when I try to make your "meatballs" or "Burgers" and it comes to the part where you put all in the food processor and pulse until you create a crumbly mixture that sticks together I always end up with a mush. By the time I get the top stuff to the bottom its too late and mushy. I have tried scraping down the sides etc. but no use. Yesterday I tried the seitan version of your meatballs, ended up taking out the 1/2 mixed ingredients as they were turning to mush and tried to mix by hand - it was not successful. Can you help? I would appreciate any info. Thanks
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Debbie, I'm just guessing based on the info you provided, but it sounds like you have a small food processor. If you have a small food processor then it would be difficult for the ingredients to mix quickly. I recommend halving the recipes and seeing if that works better. I would also recommend stopping to scrape the sides frequently. This is the food processor I use. Hope that helps!
Donna says
I just bought your book "Fast Easy Cheap Vegan" and I love it!
My grandson and I are lactose intollerant so I started trying vegan recipes.
I'm not totally vegan but getting close. Your recipes are practical and tasty! My friends and family loved the chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and my grandson could eat them! Looking forward to your other book!
Thanks!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Donna!! So thrilled you love it 🙂 Fast Easy Cheap Vegan is my second book, if you haven't checked out my first book yet, I highly recommend that one too. It's called Fuss-Free Vegan 🙂
Brenda says
Hi. I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian. BUT, I have removed meats, other than fish, from my diet. Started practicing one week vegan only, next week vegetarian (can do eggs/cheese), next week Pescatarian, then back full circle. My daughter encouraged me to do more than "veggies only" and turned me on to some of your recipes. Now I'm quite in love with tofu and ancient grains. Thanks for your hard work putting your great recipes into a book. I will be buying it. Brenda
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Brenda! I'm so happy you're enjoying my recipes so much 🙂 I actually have two cookbook now Fuss-Free Vegan and Fast Easy Cheap Vegan 🙂
Beth Ertz says
Hi Sam! I saw your post from a few years ago of your adorable Chickpea and the vegan transition! I was thrilled and wonder how Chickpea is doing now as a vegan? And of course would love to hear anyone else's experiences with their vegan dogs. A longtime vegan myself, I am slowly transitioning my little Teddy, a shaggy black shih tzu/dachshund mix. Thanks so much!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Beth! Chickpea is happy and thriving on her vegan diet 🙂 The vet is very happy with her overall health. You can check out Chickpea's Instagram page. We don't post there often, but there is lots of info in the saved highlights about her diet 🙂
Shannavegana says
Buddy Being vegan
Our rescue came to us with a whole host of issues including but not limited to mouth tumours, infected rotting teeth, undecended infected testicles, buldging disc
and chronic diarrhea!!! He was super low energy and literally on death’s door.
After surgeries to correct the tumours, teeth and then surgery to remove testicles from his abdomen, he continued to have chronic diarrhea that represented each time we tried to take him off of metronidazole, the medication prescribed for his diarrhea. I worked with the vet for OVER A YEAR changing his diet many times, to no avail.
Finally, with nothing left to lose, I decided after hearing how well dogs have done on a vegan diet, to start cooking vegan food for him. At the time, we had already gone from vegetarian to vegan, and it was working well for us.
◦ Like an ABSOLUTE MIRACLE, within ONE WEEK, Buddy was a new man!!! It has been around a 3 years cooking vegan for him and NOT ONCE has he had even a loose stool since. He has more energy BY FAR now and is such a playful pup now. I make him all sorts of vegetables, cooked potatoes, carrots, rice, corn, lentils, chickpeas, and sooooo much more. I am sooooo happy!!!
It was a horror show, waking up through the night because he had to go out as well as coming home to a house full of messes. He felt sooooo bad too.
Vegan is AWESOME. Just didn't know it would be so awesome for our baby.
Update.
It is now fours years later. 2022. We started buying VECADO Beneful vegan food for him and he is still FULL of energy and life. Buddy just had a check up exam and the vet reported that he is perfect. Perfect weight..he was waaay under weight before..perfect teeth, perfect blood work results.
We are all soooo happy that we were able to fix Buddy.
He is the sweetest little thing in the world and it gives us all great pleasure to have him on our long hikes up the mountains and running and playing like a healthy dog.
Sandra says
I was reading all about the My Gardyn indoor garden on your latest post and was amazed at this thing, but then… read on their website that they don’t ship to Canada. BUMMER! How could you get your fellow Canadians so excited about a product that isn’t available to them… boo hoo hoo.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Sandra, as I mentioned in my post, Gardyn will be coming to Canada soon! Stay tuned 🙂
Bonnie says
Sam, I just made the Spiced up BLT Pasta Salad from your new cookbook Fast, Easy, Cheap Vegan. The first recipe that I tried. The Cajun spiced croutons are to die for. You have knocked it out of the park again. Another wonderful cookbook. Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww wonderful! So thrilled you love it so much. And right!? The croutons are everything!!!
Jeff Fagnan says
I am ditching the crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. I made the Sweet Korean Lentils. Tastes great but too hot! From now on no more hot spices. I figure I can always add it to the dish AFTER it is already made if I want it a little hot. I do that occasionally any way with TABASCO.
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely, you can always add spice to taste.
Jeff Fagnan says
We loved the Stole My Heart Of Palm Roll. I tweaked it and used artichoke hearts with sour dough Ciabatta Squares sliced sandwich bread and added a veggie patty to make it like a hamburger.
Sam Turnbull says
Sounds delicious!!
Suzanne Lewis says
I just finished reading our story. My husband and I also watched Vegucated in 2013, had to self-reflect and went vegan that day (I also grew up in a hunter family with heads on the wall).
Like you, I also have grown an appreciation for cooking and food that I never had before. When I was forced into the kitchen, to use spices and try new foods, a whole world opened up that I didn't realize I was missing out on. When people asked me if I feel limited in my food choices because I'm vegan, I honestly answer that I eat from a much broader spectrum and am enriched by the change.
Keep up the great work!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's wonderful Suzanne! We have such a similar story 🙂
Shannavegana says
Ditto for me. Farming, hunting, fishing family. The AWAKENING and now I am obsessed with cooking!!! I actually LOVE TO COOK now. Vegan hugs. Shanna. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sam Turnbull says
So many benefits!! 🙂
Melanie says
So my husband and I just watched The Game Changers!
We are realizing that, he with elevated cholesterol and me, with elevated blood pressure, should be vegan!
And I am chuckling to myself reading your story, because right now I am thinking-well s$&t- I don’t want to be vegan.
Thankfully I found your blog and cookbooks. Yay! I am now excited about getting started with food that seems normal. This is what I had hoped to find but didn’t expect to!
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful Melanie!! Trust me when I say that you can relate to a LOT of vegans. Most of us go vegan because of the animals or our health, not because we want to make our lives more difficult! Haha. That said, I always say it's about breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. It might be a big change at first, but once you get the swing of things, it's just as easy to eat and cook vegan as it is any other diet 🙂
Melanie says
So its been 10 days.
What I thought would be a slow transition has been a rather quick one.
I purchased both of your books, and we are loving the recipes so much and we are both feeling so energized that we are pretty much all the way vegan.
Yay!
There are still a few tweaks we have to make but we are very happy with this lifestyle change.
Funny what a well timed documentary and super motivated and feisty cookbook author can help you accomplish!
Keep doing what you do!
And thanks!!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful, Melanie! I'm so happy you're finding the transition easy and enjoyable! 🙂
Carmela LaCommare says
Just got the new book today! So excited to try all the good recipes this weekend.
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! I hope you love it 🙂
Jeff Fagnan says
We like the Fab Fried Rice-like its from a Chinese restaurant. Another person liked the cashew nut chicken from this restaurant a while ago. So I'm making the Baked Tofu Bites which also tastes like chicken as you have said to add to this recipe.
Sam Turnbull says
Sounds great!