As a huge fan of Bones, I was giddy to learn that Emily Deschanel is an environmentalist who puts her money where her mouth is—literally—by eating a vegan diet.

We couldn't think of a better person to feature smack-dab in the middle of "Meat's Not Green" Week than Emily and, luckily, she was able to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Here Emily is in her own words:

Do you have any animal companions? I don't have any animal companions right now. My amazing dog Snookie passed away a year ago. She was 17 years old. I miss her. She was super sweet and smart. I'm not ready for another animal in my life right now, especially because I wouldn't have the time to take proper care of them (we work 16- to 17-hour days). I look forward to the day I can bring another animal into my home. They enrich our lives so much! Of course, I would adopt!

What made you decide to go vegan? In high school, a teacher screened the documentary "Diet for a New America" based on the book of the same name. It exposes the dirty business of factory farms: the cruelty that the animals experience, the dangers of a meat-based diet to your health, and the devastating environmental impact. I decided to go vegetarian on the spot with the intention to go completely vegan when I was ready. It took me two years. I've never looked back.

What are some of your favorite vegetarian foods? I love anything Dave Anderson makes at Madeleine Bistro in Los Angeles, and I love the food at Candle 79 in New York City. I'm obsessed with cookies from Sun Flour Bakery.

I don't really cook for myself right now since my schedule is insane. I look forward to the day I can pick up my Veganomicon cookbook and go to town!! I also indulge in raw chocolate on a daily basis.

If you could make people wake up to one issue involving animals or one particular form of cruelty to animals, what would it be and what would you wish for? In my experience, the issue that is avoided the most is [raising] animals for food, specifically factory farms. Nothing makes me more upset than when someone says they don't want to know about the horrors going on. Ten billion animals every year in North America have to live and die in horrible ways; the least we can do is hear about it. I have hope, though. More and more people are going veg and vegan. Look at the popularity of Skinny Bitch and PETA as an organization and how they have changed people's minds about animals and food. It is so much better than it was almost 16 years ago when I made the switch to being vegan.

Looking for a little more Deschanel? Check out her vegetarian testimonial and then click here to learn more about meat's impact on the environment.

Written by Shawna Flavell

It seems like anywhere Mike Ness goes, he leaves his mark. As the frontman for Social Distortion, he's one of the most influential men in punk rock. As a solo artist, he's blazing a trail on the alterna-country scene. However, while Mike has made a huge impact on the music world, his impact on good ol' Mother Earth is smaller than most people's. That's because Mike knows that meat's not green and that by keeping animals off his plate he's doing the single most effective thing anyone can do to reduce his or her carbon footprint.

Mike Ness is the most recent celebrity to sit down with PETA for a "Meat's Not Green" photo shoot, and he even took the time to answer a few questions about why he's doing his part to make the world a better place. Check out his video below and then head over and check out the ad.

Written by Shawna Flavell

subwaynorcal / CC

Here's the deal: A Buffalo man is all upset that two Brooklyn entrepreneurs plan to put a slaughterhouse in the back of the building in which his Subway franchise sits. He says that the odors creeping in from the slaughterhouse would scare away his customers. We see it a bit differently.

We're the last ones who want to hide slaughterhouses where nobody will have to think about—or actually see and hear—the animals they're blithely eating, so we've written to Buffalo to say that PETA supports the creation of this slaughterhouse, with just a couple of modifications: Erect a glass wall to allow the public to see the terrified animals who are being slaughtered, install a sound system to broadcast the animals' screams, and open the facility to school and other tours with an elevated walkway running right through it.

I suspect that this could hurt business at a lot of restaurants in the Greater Buffalo area. But buck up, Subway man. What you lose in meatball and cheesesteak sub sales, you gain on the Veggie Delite sandwiches and perhaps by adding a Gardein "chicken" sub or other super-delish vegetarian alternatives!

Written by Jeff Mackey

apgaylard / CC

When you saw Kia's new commercial, "A New Way to Roll," a few questions probably popped into your head: How did they train these hamsters? How long did they make them run on those wheels? Do hamsters even like soul music?

Well, have no fear: The hamsters in this commercial are computer-generated—no vigorous training or particular taste in music necessary! That means that when this commercial comes on and the Soul car rolls in, you can rock out with the hamsters to the funky beat guilt-free. We love this ad so much that we've decided to give Kia Motors America—and its creative ad agency David&Goliath—PETA's GOODY Award. By creating an ad that takes advantage of animated animals instead of dragging real ones into the process, Kia and David&Goliath have set a progressive example for other companies to follow.

Please comment below if you've recently seen an ad that depicts animals in a positive or negative way. We'll consider it for our GOODY Award or BADDY Award (for ads that stink) faster than you can say, "CGI rules!"

Written by Liz Graffeo

abcnews.go / CC

During Sunday night's episode of Celebrity Apprentice, I nearly fell off my couch when I heard Herschel Walker say that he didn't eat meat. But then it clicked … of course he's a vegetarian. Find an attractive, fit person in any room and it's a good assumption that he or she might be vegetarian. One peek in Trump's celebrity boardroom and I think we could all agree that Herschel Walker fits the bill. This Heisman trophy–winning football star is in great shape (and he even has Joan Rivers trying to set him up with her daughter).

With PETA faves Khloe Kardashian and Dennis Rodman already out the door, I was hoping that this vegetarian football hero would last until the end, but Herschel got the boot this week, with Trump professing his love, "I love you. I love you, Herschel. I love you. I'm not a gay man, but I love you. And you're fired."

Now that he's got free time on his hands, we're hoping we can ask Herschel for a vegetarian testimonial!

Written by Christine Doré

sportsillustrated.cnn / CC

As a lifelong vegetarian, Jake Shields is no stranger to sticking up for the little guys. Maybe that's why the XC welterweight champion agreed to appear in a recent episode of MTV's Bully Beatdown, a show that puts teenage bullies in the ring with professional fighters to give them a taste of how miserable it feels to be the underdog.

In an interview with our friends at The Discerning Brute, Jake said, "Well I'm a life-long vegetarian and the diet obviously works. I also have two brothers that are strong and healthy. But you do have to have a good balanced diet and eat healthy foods. There's plenty of ways to get protein other than eating meat."

Awesome athletes like Jake and his fellow fighter Mac Danzig are evidence that not only is a vegetarian diet a possible diet for athletes, it might even be the best diet.

Written by Amanda Schinke

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments on this Win It Wednesday. The winners of the PETA Grocery Tote are Mariah Lacey, Joel A., and Alyson Paige Warren. Congratulations!

"Win It" Wednesday is coming a day early this week!

One of my favorite things about spring is getting to walk around outside without a jacket. The sun is out, there's a gentle breeze, and the birds are chirping their hearts out. What better time to leave the car at home and stroll to the grocery store? You can save money on gas, conserve our limited resources, and enjoy the weather while getting a little exercise.

As long as we're talking groceries, did you know that the easiest and most effective thing you can do to help save the world is to go vegetarian? What's the second easiest thing? Stuffing all your yummy fruits and veggies into PETA's canvas grocery tote, of course! So, in honor of "Meat's Not Green" Week, we're giving you the chance to win one free!

How do you win? Just tell us what steps you're taking to show the world that meat's not green! Whether it's passing out leaflets, talking to friends, or petitioning your school for vegetarian options, every bit helps. The three most creative comments will win our stylish and eco-friendly PETA grocery tote.

The contest ends on May 6, 2009, and we'll choose three winners on May 8, 2009. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Check back every Wednesday for new prizes. Good luck!

Written by Lianne Turner