Newt Gingrich’s life has been a political rollercoaster, with perhaps the biggest moment coming in an upcoming episode of Parks and Recreation. You see, Newt’s love for steak simply could not be overlooked by the show that already features fictional Unvegan Hero Ron Swanson.

So how did this all come about? Pretty simple actually. While Parks and Rec was filming at St. Elmo Steak House (possible reference to Rob Lowe’s classic St. Elmo’s Fire?!), Newt Gingrich stopped by to grab a steak and found the place closed. But, rather than turn him away, the show took the opportunity to write him into a scene.

So, for loving steak and for using that love of steak to parlay yourself into a cameo on a hilarious TV show, Newt Gingrich, you are a true Unvegan Hero!

(via A.V. Club and Indystar)

Many of you out there have wondered whether a fictional character can be an Unvegan Hero and I am finally ready to answer that question with a resounding, “Yes!” But it isn’t easy – unless you’re Ron Swanson.

That’s right, the mustachioed genius from Parks and Recreation has finally achieved the rank of Unvegan Hero, and all it took was a little thing called a hamburger. In case you ever wondered what a hamburger means to Ron Swanson, the Parks and Rec website has your answer: Some meat and a bun. Need directions? “Grill the meat then put it on a bun. Eat it with your mouth, so that it goes into your belly. Repeat.” A simple recipe for a complex man.

But it takes more than that to become an Unvegan Hero. In reference to the lesser meat-burger known as a turkey burger, Ron Swanson asked, “Is that a fried turkey leg inside a grilled hamburger?” Could you imagine such a thing? Well, Eater.com made one and it looks amazing, because nothing beats meat on meat. Ooh that should be my new catch phrase. But I digress. Ron Swanson is awesome.