What do you think of when you hear the term “vegan?” For many, it’s some shouting protester munching on a piece of cardboard. This portrayal has got to go. Since the lifestyle began to grow in popularity, so did the experimentation of recipes and meat/dairy substitutes. There are even fine dining establishments that are completely plant-based, and they are damn good.

So, after checking out some vegan food blogs, I decided to give up my precious sushi and Brie cheese for two weeks to find out if this lifestyle was practical and possible.

I’ve always had an appreciation for the healthier things in life, but that never stopped me from considering cheese with bread a meal. I figured it might be beneficial to try vegetables that weren’t cooked in butter and to maybe try to fight the urge to lie in a bed of cheese and baked goods. A vegan lifestyle has not only proven to be beneficial for health, but also very much so for the environment. It takes at least 100 times more water to produce a pound of beef versus growing a pound of plant food. If helping the earth and taking steps towards a healthier life aren’t motivation, I don’t know what is. Here’s what happened during my two weeks of not eating cardboard.

The first thing to understand is that I ate very well and surprisingly very cheaply. Yes, you have to cook a good bit unless you live in a big city with a plethora of vegetarian or vegan eateries. But trust me, it’s worth it. This whole process ended up being somewhat of an accidental meal prep plan. All of the recipes that I tried out yielded at least two servings. This came in handy during stressful times where I really didn’t have time to cook. I could open my fridge and find a menu-like array of appetizers and meals to grab and go. Having food packed with protein and nutrients from the earth made me feel vibrant. There was no sluggishness after a meal, and the full feeling was a completely different kind of full than I’m used to after eating a million slices of pizza. Here are some of the delicious plant-based feasts that helped me thrive during my veggie-filled exploration.

This buffalo chickpea flatbread sandwich helped to satisfy my craving for all things spicy. Who knew buffalo sauce tasted so amazing on literally everything?

Pasta is basically all you need in life. The first was an amazing and crispy modification to very loved eggplant Parmesan—and fun fact: there is vegan Parmesan cheese and it tastes exactly the same. I sort of wanted to dump the entire container in my mouth, but that’s beside the point.

These noodles are made from black beans and taste like normal noodles, plus 30 grams of protein in a serving with other veggies. Yes, healthy and delicious pasta.

And barbecue! Jackfruit has a texture that mimics pulled pork and boy, is it convincing and delicious.

I chose to do this experiment during a certain time of the month when my skin decides to revolt against me, if you know what I mean. I did not have a single pimple during this process. This may not be the case for every single person, but I’m pretty sure the vegetable gods gave me the greatest gift a girl can have while experiencing mood swings and cramps.

So, what now? I have to say, my body adjusted to these changes after the first few days, and my cravings for dairy ice cream and California rolls started to dissipate. I felt clear and happy with my body because I was respecting it from the inside out. This lifestyle is very possible and very enjoyable. It’s an investment and a challenge at first, but I can’t tell you how amazing it is to know that basically everything you eat has some nutritional value and is real food. The results are different for each person, but the positives cannot be ignored. I might not be ready to give up my precious cheese and salmon just yet, but this challenge has shown me the value in moderation because all of it simply isn’t necessary for every meal. Whether you make these changes for the planet or the cute pigs, always remember yourself and this journey can be as beautiful for you as it was for me. Changing and learning from your diet is the first step toward becoming a better you. Eat well, live well.