Voting has commenced in PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2010 contest. Hundreds of vegetarian/vegan guys and gals have submitted their photos online for a chance to win the acclaimed title of sexiest vegetarian and a seven night trip for two to Hawaii.

“On average, vegetarians and vegans are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters, and that makes them sexier too,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “And because a plant-based diet helps keep blood flowing not just to the heart and brain but to all parts of the body, vegetarians make better lovers.”

Visitors can peruse the entries and vote for their favorite compassionate individuals until12 p.m. ET on March 12. Ten female and ten male finalists will be announced on March 17 when a second round voting begins. That round ends on March 31 at 12 p.m. ET and the winners, one male and one female, will be crowned by April 14.

The Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door champions will join the ranks of Heroes hunk Milo Ventimiglia and country music sweetheart Kellie Pickler who were both winners in PETA’s 2009 Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest.