Foxy 23-Year-Old Says Meat-Free Meals Keep Her in Top Condition
For Immediate Release:
April 27, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Santa Cruz, Calif. -- The competition to be named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door is heating up, and 23-year-old Santa Cruz resident Ashley Weber may just take home the grand prize. She has beaten out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 female contestants to advance to the final round in PETA's contest. Two lucky winners (one male and one female) will each receive a free trip to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
"On average, vegetarians are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters are—and they save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "One look at our radiant finalists proves that there's nothing sexier than kindness."
Weber went vegetarian at 14 after visiting PETA's website. She loves to create new vegetarian dishes, and her concern for animals and good taste in food are contagious—her parents and friends have cut back on their meat consumption. Weber attributes her high energy level to her healthy meat-free diet and says that it has helped her complete 6-mile cross-country ski races, run 5Ks, and do strenuous rock climbing. Weber—who is a graduate of the University of California–Santa Cruz and works as financial-aid adviser for an online education company—lives with her two rescued cats and is a strong advocate for spaying and neutering to help end the homeless-animal crisis.
To see photos of Weber and the other sexy vegetarian finalists, please click here. The voting—which can be done on PETA's website and by texting—ends on May 14, and the two winners will be announced on May 21.
For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.
Four factors will be given equal consideration when PETA chooses the winners: the number of votes received from the public, the enthusiasm demonstrated by the entrants in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, PETA's assessment of entrants' attractiveness, and entrants' potential to reach a wide media audience.