NEW YORK - If only Bo Bice had cut down on the ribs. Carrie Underwood, who beat out Bice to win the "American Idol" crown in May, was voted the "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" in PETA's annual online poll. She shares the honor with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Not so long ago, there was a certain image associated with being vegetarian. It usually involved Birkenstocks, lentil loaf and an agenda.

According to the prophet Hosea, God says, “I will make a covenant on behalf of Israel with the wild beasts, the birds of the air, and the things that creep on the earth, and I will break every bow and sword and weapon of war and sweep them off the earth so that all living creatures may lie down without living in fear.”

This weekend, Chandler husband-and-wife team Chad and Erin Romanoff celebrate the one-year anniversary of their vintage silver food truck — The Uprooted Kitchen. Appearing weekly at Gilbert Farmers Market and Food Truck Friday in Phoenix, the Romanoff’s “restaurant on wheels” is a true gem found right in our own backyard.

Marlene and Cassie Tolman have created their dream restaurant. The mother-daughter team had talked about opening a health-conscious, vegetarian and vegan-friendly place for several years. That dream finally became a reality when Pomegranate opened in the Ahwatukee Foothills in early February.

Marlene and Cassie Tolman have created their dream restaurant.

Marlene and Cassie Tolman have created their dream restaurant.

Colleen Venti’s four sisters all had morning sickness during their pregnancies. Venti didn’t.

The number of Americans considered obese is expected to rise from the current 34 percent to 42 percent by the year 2030, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and discussed at Monday’s “Weight of the Nation” conference in Washington. Diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and other obesity-related ailments account for countless premature deaths and as much as 18 percent of the $2.6 trillion national cost of medical care.

Who wouldn't want to be named "Cutest Vegetarian Alive?" That's the dream of Anastasia Fuller of San Tan Valley, a finalist in this contest sponsored by a division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her photo was selected from thousands of entries as one of the top female finalists.

By Judy A. Toth, contributing columnist

The number of Americans considered obese is expected to rise from the current 34 percent to 42 percent by the year 2030, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and discussed at Monday’s “Weight of the Nation” conference in Washington. Diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and other obesity-related ailments account for countless premature deaths and as much as 18 percent of the $2.6 trillion national cost of medical care.

Phoenix Zoo has a new addition to its animal family: Andean mother bear Rio recently gave birth to a male cub.

Diet counselor and certified professional food manager Rhonda Peters, author of “So, What Can I Eat Now?!,” will offer a free cooking class at Whole Foods Market in Chandler at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The world's largest jade Buddha will be on display for a week at the Mesa Amphitheatre, beginning Saturday.