VegNews Names Local Writer 'Person of the Year'

She's single, plays flag football in Valley parks weekly and her book was on the New York Times bestselling list for a year. In fact, the vegan activist author of Skinny Bitch (LAist Review) has penned two guest posts for LAist. In the just released December issue of VegNews, writer Rory Freedman earned the top prize in the 2008 Veggie Awards--Person of the Year. In an interview with the magazine, Freedman, who has convinced thousands of women to turn vegetarian in her book, announces that a major network TV sitcom is in development and that Skinny Bastard (watch out meat eatin' guys) is due in bookstores in June (she says she's in search of a skinny bastard herself).

Another major award, Restaurant of the Year, goes to The Veggie Grill, the El Segundo based fast-casual restaurant that has foodies abuzz about their fake meat dishes like Carne Asada and Santa Fe Crispy Chickin'. "I've never been happier to eat a lie," yelper Paul N. wrote.

For a more national perspective, California Proposition 2 wins Buzz of the Year, Natalie Portman is named Favorite Vegan Celebrity, Shania Twain as Favorite Vegan Musician and Huntington Beach born Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez earns Favorite Vegan Athlete.

Photo by Tim VanOrden