Cary woman a finalist in PETA's sexiest 50+ vegetarian contest

Who said twentysomethings had the last word on sexiness?

Cary resident Linda Jean Smith, 52, is a finalist in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 contest.

Smith is in good company - other vegetarians who are older than 50 and fabulous include Christie Brinkley and Sir Paul McCartney.

PETA, which expanded the popular contest to include the AARP set because of its growing interest in vegetarianism, received hundreds of online entries from across the United States.

Judges, after pouring through their photographs, winnowed the field down to 20 sizzling finalists - web voters will pick the top man and woman for the title.

According to PETA's contest site, Smith gave up meat two years ago not only for her health but also out of her love for animals - she owns one dog and two cats.

She reports that her new diet has definitely agreed with her by helping her shed a few pounds, gently easing her into menopause and making her feel sexier than ever.

"(I) just had my physical done this spring, and my health is better now than when I was in my 40s," Smith said in a news release. "You are what you eat."

The top man and woman win an organic food basket that includes apple cider, chocolate bars, cookies, mints, coffee and biscotti - all made out of animal-free products.

But in PETA's eyes, sexiness isn't just about hard bodies and gorgeous faces.

"Compassion, is, of course, the sexiest quality one can have," said PETA spokeswoman Nicole Matthews. "Considering animals is sexy and nothing maintains a fitter physique than a vegetarian diet."

To vote for your favorite, visit www.petaprime.org.

Voting ends Monday. Winners will be announced a week later.