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If you've noticed the surge in meatless burgers offered at a variety of restaurants, you're not alone. The food industry is keenly aware of the growing number of vegetarians and even of non-vegetarians who are looking to cut down on their meat intake. So, PETA has announced its first annual Australia's Best Veggie Burger contest, and the Sydney crown goes to the "Tofusion" at Burgerlicious.  "Not so long ago, if you walked into a fast-food joint and asked for a veggie burger, chances are good that all you'd get for lunch was a blank stare", says PETA director and resident food critic Jason Baker. "But thanks to our line-up of winners, having a top-notch meatless burger – and helping animals at the same time – has never been easier." For national winners and more info head to the website.  Mmmmm burger...

Wearing little more than paint markings mimicking a butcher's diagram of body parts, a pair of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific members will protest against the meat industry during Sydney's busy lunch hour holding signs reading, "All Animals Have the Same Parts – Go Vegetarian".

Date:   Wednesday, 21 January
Time:  12 noon sharp
Place:  Pitt Street Mall (just south of King Street), Sydney

Billions of animals every year – including over 515 million animals in Australia alone (not including the fish) – have their bodies chopped up,
labelled as this cut or that and wrapped in cellophane for the supermarket meat case. PETA is encouraging people to view animals as more than walking entrées, noting that animals raised for their flesh have personalities and feelings and form families and friendships if given the chance. Instead, factory farms deny animals everything which is natural and important to them and confine them to filthy, cramped cages, stalls and sheds, where only a steady diet of drugs keeps them alive long enough to be prodded to the slaughterhouse. Dismemberment often starts months beforehand – chickens, pigs, sheep and cows routinely undergo debeaking, tail-docking or castration – all without any painkillers.

Pick up a copy of YEN 35 in Magnation stores (Australia) throughout November and recieve an exclusive to Magnation Fashion For Your Ears compilation CD from Inertia - featuring tracks by our cover star Santogold, Neon Neon, Jamie Lidell, Brett Dennen, Husky Rescue and Bon Iver. Head to Magnation online for more info and locations - but be quick - only while stocks last!

Actresses unite for world’s animals

Neighbours actresses Pippa Black, Erin McNaught and Imogen Bailey are a few of many high-profile Australians supporting the biggest and most ambitious campaign ever to improve the lives of the world’s animals.

They are adding their name to a World Society for the Protection of Animals’ project to achieve a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations – in the same way the UN has made Declarations on human and child rights.

Erin McNaught

“ We are privileged to be a part of a world so full of amazing and beautiful creatures, yet we continue to exploit them for our own selfish wants and needs.It is our responsibility not only to protect, but to nurture animals to ensure their future.Poaching and killing animals for entertainment or so-called Medicinal Purposes has to stop! It's time to step up and be accountable for our actions. Please help put an end to Cruelty to Animals,� Erin said.

The Universal Declaration will be international recognition that animals matter, can feel pain and experience suffering. And that all of us – from individuals to governments - have a responsibility to put an end to cruelty around the world.

Imogen Bailey

“Animals cannot speak for themselves…that is why it is up to us, the ones who care, the ones who have a heart and the ones who want to 'ACT BEAUTIFUL' to be a voice for every living creature on this planet. I am an animal lover to my very core and I am passionate about animal rights. I believe every animal deserves to feel safe in their environment. I believe that animal cruelty is unacceptable and needs to be stopped now. I believe that we must do everything we can to help make the lives of all animals better and I urge you to sign WSPA's universal declaration for animal welfare. But please don't stop there, please pass on your 'beautiful act' by telling every person you know about it. Spread the word, please be a loud voice for the animals because it is not okay to hurt, abuse or let any animal suffer and its time we declare it!� Imogen Bailey said.

 Pippa Black

“I hope you’ll join me in adding your name to a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations to put a stop to animal abuse and suffering,� Pippa said.

You can add your name by taking part in the WSPA’s ‘Act Beautiful’ campaign from September 22 – October 12. During this time, simply visit any The Body Shop store or go to http://www.makeyourselfbeautiful.org.au/?CPID=9 to sign for the Declaration.

It's the day you've all been waiting for; the day when we announce the finalists for the 2008 YEN Young Women of the Year Awards - the one-of-a-kind competition that aims to support and celebrate young women who are making a difference in their chosen field.
We'll tell you the finalists right after this ad break......I kid!


Art and Design
Ainsle Asher
Beci Orpin
Mel O’Callaghan

Business
Carolyn Creswell
Kristina Karlsson
Laura Deutsche

Community Vision
Michelle Williamson
Nicole Kuepper
Tania Major


Fashion
Anna Plunkett Romance Was Born
Therese Rawsthrone
Tina Kalivas

Film, TV & Theatre
Claire Van Der Boom
Emma Booth
Maeve Dermody

Hair Design & Direction
Ali Holmes
Hayley Meares
Rebecca Woloszek

Music
Clare Bowditch
Julia Stone Angus & Julia Stone
Sarah Blasko

Photography
Gen Kay
Lisa Wiltse
Liz Ham

Sport
Emma Snowsill
Stephanie Gilmore
Stephanie Rice

Phew! There's your names, now it's time for you to get voting. The winner of each category is picked by you via the official website www.ywya.com.au. The voting period is open from today until November 3 and you the voting public have a chance to win a Toyota Yaris to spin 'round in, as well as 200 YEN prize packages that include double passes to the YEN YWYAs red carpet awards ceremony, being held at the ethereal City Recital Hall in Sydney. Get to it my friends!

If you haven't encountered the awesomeness that is Kat Dennings then I've pretty much just made your day my friend. Meet Kat, 22-year-old actress who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and when she's not busy working on films like Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist with Michael Cera or House Bunny with Anna Faris, she's keeping you posted on her seemingly mundane life with her hilarious blog posts. Current insect invasions (I thought I was the only one who's blood is like crack for mosquitos) and her general uncleanliness make the most common features. Genius! Oh, and she also has her own Youtube show. No, it is not like Miley Cyrus' (good or bad thing?)

Yen has just announced the three gorgeous official faces of the upcoming 2008 YEN Young Woman of The Year Awards. Heading up the over 40-strong list of talented ambassadors is ** drumroll please** professional snowboarder Torah Bright, Model Miranda Kerr and actress Rose Byrne. The announcement was made on Tuesday night during a special YWYA get-together. Held at Sydney's extremely floral Gazebo Wine Garden, the event was an enchanting, conversation-filled and, umm, wine-heavy one - with Torah taking time out from her training schedule to attend and speak on why she is involved with the event. Some of the other ambasadors for the 2008 YWYA's include painter Del Kathryn Barton; Liane Rossler & Louise Olsen of Dinosaur Designs; fashion designers Marnie Skillings and Camilla Freeman-Topper; actress Gracie Otto and news presenter, Kathryn Robinson. For the full list check out the official YWYA site. The official launch date is September 26th when voting opens to the public - but make sure you get involved in advance by nominating your favourite young Australian woman now.