That's right: Robert St. John is giving up meat, eggs, and dairy products. He stopped eating meat for a month last year in September—but, he admits, he still consumed lots of cheese, milk, and cholesterol bombs (eggs to you). But this year he's one-upped himself by vowing to be vegan—at least through this month. Perhaps his decision was in response to a little playful nudging from PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. Maybe he ruminated over the many reasons why a vegan diet is best for every living being and the Earth. Or maybe he just wanted to drop some weight. (As Newkirk said, "You might as well staple all that cheese to your stomach and thighs and use a brush to coat your arteries with it.")

He's a brave man, given his really bad, bad, bad dietary addictions, but I bet that St. John will find that vegan living is a piece of mouthwatering salmonella-free cake.

Written by Karin Bennett

Set your TiVo! On August 29, the winner of PETA's Fine Faux Foie Gras contest, Dirt Candy's Amanda Cohen, takes on Masaharu Morimoto in Iron Chef America's very first all-vegetarian challenge.

We already know that the episode's secret ingredient will be compassion. But questions remain about how much viewers will see: Cohen says that she literally worked her pants off—will the show include that big reveal? Will she make Morimoto fall to his knees? Will you tune in to find out?

While we wait to see what masterful concoction Amanda whips up, why not try making your own serving of her award-winning mushroom mousse? It'll give you reason to cheer her on.

Via Ecorazzi

Written by Karin Bennett

Not long ago, we told you that celebrity chef Mario Batali was introducing special "Meatless Mondays" options at all of his 14 restaurants. Well, thanks to Freep.com, we get to meat meet up with Mario for a progress report: He says that he feels better as his diet becomes increasingly veggie-heavy. And he predicts that environmental concerns will prompt others to embrace a vegetarian diet. Oh—and he reveals that his own vegetarian cookbook is in the works.

Could Batali be channeling vegan chef Tal Ronnen? I'd love to think so, but one thing's for certain: Both Chef Mario and Chef Tal are inspiring countless flesh-loving foodies to think outside the T-bone.

Written by Karin Bennett