Profile of a new vegan: A trip to the local library changed Leo Ryan's live forever. Here is his vegan story.

About ten years ago, by chance, I happened to pick up a book in the library when I was there looking for something to read. I like reading a broad range of books, usually non fiction, and the book I picked up that day was Animals Like Us by Mark Rowlands. I read it and then gave it to my partner to read without telling her what it was about. We both became vegan immediately after reading it. Before reading it we were eating everything and anything, without any thought whatsoever about the animals we were eating. The book gave us a totally different perspective, and changing our frame of mind was an amazing experience. I am so pleased we had this opportunity and I feel so good about making our decision. Prior to this I don't think I had even heard the term vegan. I was also renowned for my cooking ability, which included a range of animals. I grew up on a farm, where so many meals included meat. Of course I've also become aware of the environmental and health aspects associated with raising animals to eat.