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DURYEA — Veganism makes you hot.
That’s the apparent message of a contest sponsored by animal rights group PETA, and a Duryea woman has been named a finalist for the title of “Sexiest Vegan Next Door.”
Dawn Pilosi, 39, beat out hundreds of competitors from across the country to reach the top 10 contestants in the final round of the promotion run by Norfolk, Virginia-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“All of PETA’s finalists are as attractive on the inside as they are on the outside, thanks to their decision to choose meals that are kind to animals, the planet, and their health,” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a release sent out Friday. “On average, vegans are fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters are—and of course, they spare the lives of more than 100 animals every year.”
According to the release, Pilosi “knew she’d made the right choice for animals and for herself when she saw her cholesterol drop by a dramatic 80 points within just a year of going vegan.”
Pilosi has been meat-free for nearly two decades, PETA said, “and credits plant-based meals with helping her stay so trim and energetic that she’s often mistaken for being 10 years younger than her actual age.”
“When she’s not working as an occupational therapy assistant, Pilosi loves to cook for her 11-year-old daughter (who is being raised vegan), do yoga, dance, walk homeless dogs at local animal shelters, and use social media to help friends and family explore vegan foods—something many of them got a head start on at Pilosi’s all-vegan wedding,” according to PETA.
Voters will help PETA choose one man and one woman as the country’s most alluring vegan. Each of the winners will receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.
Voting ends at noon Eastern time on May 1. PETA will select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. Winners will be notified and announced by May 6.
To vote, click here.