The article opens with a personal reflection on the author's journey into vegetarianism during Lent many years ago, a time when vegetarians were a rare sight in Greece. The author recounts their experience of giving up meat for 48 days, motivated by the presence of a passionate vegetarian friend who often instilled guilt in their group whenever they indulged in meat dishes. This experience took place in a time when terms like 'veganism' were not commonly used, and some plant-based alternatives that are now readily available, such as nut milks and vegan cheeses, were virtually nonexistent. The popularity of plant-based diets may have made the switch easier for many today compared to the past.