A month ago, I had a revelation: I’ve been eating meat my entire life, why not become vegetarian? Well, in reality, it started from a quick, nonsensical bet with one of my friends, but I’ll still call it self-inspired. You may be asking why, that after eating meat for my entire life, why would I so suddenly decide to change?

I honestly don’t have a great response, other than it spurred from my belief that spontaneity can create memorable learning experiences in life, and that I sometimes exude chaotic energy. As someone who believed that I could never change, and as someone who always had meat as a staple of their diet, trust me, it is not that hard. It also is a fantastic way to limit your carbon impacts.

But for many (including myself), the idea of switching over can be tough. Luckily, I had friends surrounding me who helped me learn how and what to eat to get enough protein and enjoy the new food lifestyle.

I would recommend, do not make the switch unless you know how to eat, because it can be tough to start. From me to you, I’ll take you through my “day in the life” of being vegetarian from a former meat enthusiast to current meat enthusiasts. Take this advice with a grain of salt. I am not an expert and I am not pretending to be at all.

With that caveat, we’ll start with breakfast, by far my favorite meal of the day. This is where I get a large source of protein. I love Diner breakfast to start, which I usually get with the boys. Not only do they know my order (I love you guys for this by the way), but it is also such a great way to start the day. I go with an egg-and-cheese on a plain bagel which always brightens up my day. When I don’t go to Diner breakfast, I’ll get an omelet, which is a solid option as well. These two options always get the day started right.

For lunch, I usually get a salad with chickpeas, which is kind of bland, but still a fan of it. On select days, I go for a wrap at Diner with the vegan nuggets (which are pretty fire, to be honest). From someone skeptical of the fake meat, it’s honestly a play, very tasty.

For dinner, a beyond burger and a salad is a must. It is a great source of protein (from what I’ve heard) and is pretty tasty. From a former meat-eater, you wouldn’t think it could compare to a burger, but it’s changed me. It does taste like a burger and has much less of an environmental impact, so I’m a huge fan of it.

It may seem scary to switch over to vegetarianism, especially someone like myself who had never tried it before. But after adhering to vegetarianism for over a month now, I can say it has changed my life, even as cliche as that sounds. You’ll feel better, healthier, and you’ll be making a difference environmentally. I’d never thought I’d say this, and my vegan sister would give me a resounding “I told you so” if she heard me say this, but vegetarianism is the new wave for me. And who knows, it could be for you too.